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<title>King Henry VI, Part 3</title>

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<section id="preamble">

<h1>The Third Part of Henry the Sixth</h1>

<section id="dramatis-personae"><h2>Dramatis Personae</h2>

<ol class="persona-group">
  <li>KING HENRY, the Sixth.</li>
  <li>EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, his son. </li>
  <li>KING LEWIS XI, King of France. </li>
  <li>DUKE OF SOMERSET</li>
  <li>DUKE OF EXETER</li>
  <li>EARL OF OXFORD</li>
  <li>EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li>EARL OF WESTMORELAND</li>
  <li>LORD CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>RICHARD PLANTAGENET, Duke of York. </li>
</ol>

<ol class="persona-group" data-description="his sons.">
  <li>EDWARD, Earl of March, afterwards King Edward IV.</li>
  <li>EDMUND, Earl of Rutland.</li>
  <li>GEORGE, afterwards Duke of</li>
  <li>Clarence.</li>
  <li>RICHARD afterwards Duke of</li>
  <li>Gloucester.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="persona-group">
  <li>DUKE OF NORFOLK</li>
  <li>MARQUESS OF MONTAGUE</li>
  <li>EARL OF WARWICK</li>
  <li>EARL OF PEMBROKE</li>
  <li>LORD HASTINGS</li>
  <li>LORD STAFFORD</li>
</ol>

<ol class="persona-group" data-description="uncles to the Duke of York.">
  <li>SIR JOHN MORTIMER</li>
  <li>SIR HUGH MORTIMER</li>
</ol>

<ol class="persona-group">
  <li>HENRY, Earl of Richmond, a youth.</li>
  <li>LORD RIVERS, brother to Lady Grey. </li>
  <li>SIR WILLIAM STANLEY</li>
  <li>SIR JOHN MONTGOMERY</li>
  <li>SIR JOHN SOMERVILLE</li>
  <li>Tutor to Rutland. </li>
  <li>Mayor of York. </li>
  <li>Lieutenant of the Tower. </li>
  <li>A Nobleman. </li>
  <li>Two Keepers.</li>
  <li>A Huntsman. </li>
  <li>A Son that has killed his father. </li>
  <li>A Father that has killed his son. </li>
  <li>QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>LADY GREY, afterwards Queen to Edward IV. </li>
  <li>BONA, sister to the French Queen.</li>
  <li>Soldiers, Attendants, Messengers, Watchmen, &c.</li>
</ol>

</section>

<div id="scene-description">SCENE  England and France.</div>

</section>

<section class="act">

<h2>ACT I</h2>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE I.  London. The Parliament-house.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Alarum. Enter YORK, EDWARD, RICHARD, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, WARWICK, and Soldiers</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>I wonder how the king escaped our hands.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>While we pursued the horsemen of the north,</li>
  <li>He slily stole away and left his men:</li>
  <li>Whereat the great Lord of Northumberland,</li>
  <li class="number">Whose warlike ears could never brook retreat,</li>
  <li>Cheer'd up the drooping army; and himself,</li>
  <li>Lord Clifford and Lord Stafford, all abreast,</li>
  <li>Charged our main battle's front, and breaking in</li>
  <li>Were by the swords of common soldiers slain.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li class="number">Lord Stafford's father, Duke of Buckingham,</li>
  <li>Is either slain or wounded dangerously;</li>
  <li>I cleft his beaver with a downright blow:</li>
  <li>That this is true, father, behold his blood.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">MONTAGUE</li>
  <li>And, brother, here's the Earl of Wiltshire's blood,</li>
  <li class="number">Whom I encounter'd as the battles join'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Speak thou for me and tell them what I did.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Throwing down SOMERSET's head</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Richard hath best deserved of all my sons.</li>
  <li>But is your grace dead, my Lord of Somerset?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORFOLK</li>
  <li>Such hope have all the line of John of Gaunt!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li class="number">Thus do I hope to shake King Henry's head.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>And so do I. Victorious Prince of York,</li>
  <li>Before I see thee seated in that throne</li>
  <li>Which now the house of Lancaster usurps,</li>
  <li>I vow by heaven these eyes shall never close.</li>
  <li class="number">This is the palace of the fearful king,</li>
  <li>And this the regal seat: possess it, York;</li>
  <li>For this is thine and not King Henry's heirs'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Assist me, then, sweet Warwick, and I will;</li>
  <li>For hither we have broken in by force.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORFOLK</li>
  <li class="number">We'll all assist you; he that flies shall die.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Thanks, gentle Norfolk: stay by me, my lords;</li>
  <li>And, soldiers, stay and lodge by me this night.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">They go up</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>And when the king comes, offer no violence,</li>
  <li>Unless he seek to thrust you out perforce.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li class="number">The queen this day here holds her parliament,</li>
  <li>But little thinks we shall be of her council:</li>
  <li>By words or blows here let us win our right.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Arm'd as we are, let's stay within this house.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>The bloody parliament shall this be call'd,</li>
  <li class="number">Unless Plantagenet, Duke of York, be king,</li>
  <li>And bashful Henry deposed, whose cowardice</li>
  <li>Hath made us by-words to our enemies.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Then leave me not, my lords; be resolute;</li>
  <li>I mean to take possession of my right.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">Neither the king, nor he that loves him best,</li>
  <li>The proudest he that holds up Lancaster,</li>
  <li>Dares stir a wing, if Warwick shake his bells.</li>
  <li>I'll plant Plantagenet, root him up who dares:</li>
  <li>Resolve thee, Richard; claim the English crown.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Flourish. Enter KING HENRY VI, CLIFFORD,
NORTHUMBERLAND, WESTMORELAND, EXETER, and the rest</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">My lords, look where the sturdy rebel sits,</li>
  <li>Even in the chair of state: belike he means,</li>
  <li>Back'd by the power of Warwick, that false peer,</li>
  <li>To aspire unto the crown and reign as king.</li>
  <li>Earl of Northumberland, he slew thy father.</li>
  <li class="number">And thine, Lord Clifford; and you both have vow'd revenge</li>
  <li>On him, his sons, his favourites and his friends.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li>If I be not, heavens be revenged on me!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>The hope thereof makes Clifford mourn in steel.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WESTMORELAND</li>
  <li>What, shall we suffer this? let's pluck him down:</li>
  <li class="number">My heart for anger burns; I cannot brook it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Be patient, gentle Earl of Westmoreland.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>Patience is for poltroons, such as he:</li>
  <li>He durst not sit there, had your father lived.</li>
  <li>My gracious lord, here in the parliament</li>
  <li class="number">Let us assail the family of York.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li>Well hast thou spoken, cousin: be it so.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Ah, know you not the city favours them,</li>
  <li>And they have troops of soldiers at their beck?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EXETER</li>
  <li>But when the duke is slain, they'll quickly fly.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">Far be the thought of this from Henry's heart,</li>
  <li>To make a shambles of the parliament-house!</li>
  <li>Cousin of Exeter, frowns, words and threats</li>
  <li>Shall be the war that Henry means to use.</li>
  <li>Thou factious Duke of York, descend my throne,</li>
  <li class="number">and kneel for grace and mercy at my feet;</li>
  <li>I am thy sovereign.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>I am thine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EXETER</li>
  <li>For shame, come down: he made thee Duke of York.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>'Twas my inheritance, as the earldom was.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EXETER</li>
  <li class="number">Thy father was a traitor to the crown.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Exeter, thou art a traitor to the crown</li>
  <li>In following this usurping Henry.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>Whom should he follow but his natural king?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>True, Clifford; and that's Richard Duke of York.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">And shall I stand, and thou sit in my throne?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>It must and shall be so: content thyself.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Be Duke of Lancaster; let him be king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WESTMORELAND</li>
  <li>He is both king and Duke of Lancaster;</li>
  <li>And that the Lord of Westmoreland shall maintain.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">And Warwick shall disprove it. You forget</li>
  <li>That we are those which chased you from the field</li>
  <li>And slew your fathers, and with colours spread</li>
  <li>March'd through the city to the palace gates.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li>Yes, Warwick, I remember it to my grief;</li>
  <li class="number">And, by his soul, thou and thy house shall rue it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WESTMORELAND</li>
  <li>Plantagenet, of thee and these thy sons,</li>
  <li>Thy kinsman and thy friends, I'll have more lives</li>
  <li>Than drops of blood were in my father's veins.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>Urge it no more; lest that, instead of words,</li>
  <li class="number">I send thee, Warwick, such a messenger</li>
  <li>As shall revenge his death before I stir.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Poor Clifford! how I scorn his worthless threats!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Will you we show our title to the crown?</li>
  <li>If not, our swords shall plead it in the field.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">What title hast thou, traitor, to the crown?</li>
  <li>Thy father was, as thou art, Duke of York;</li>
  <li>Thy grandfather, Roger Mortimer, Earl of March:</li>
  <li>I am the son of Henry the Fifth,</li>
  <li>Who made the Dauphin and the French to stoop</li>
  <li class="number">And seized upon their towns and provinces.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Talk not of France, sith thou hast lost it all.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>The lord protector lost it, and not I:</li>
  <li>When I was crown'd I was but nine months old.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>You are old enough now, and yet, methinks, you lose.</li>
  <li class="number">Father, tear the crown from the usurper's head.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>Sweet father, do so; set it on your head.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">MONTAGUE</li>
  <li>Good brother, as thou lovest and honourest arms,</li>
  <li>Let's fight it out and not stand cavilling thus.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Sound drums and trumpets, and the king will fly.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li class="number">Sons, peace!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Peace, thou! and give King Henry leave to speak.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Plantagenet shall speak first: hear him, lords;</li>
  <li>And be you silent and attentive too,</li>
  <li>For he that interrupts him shall not live.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">Think'st thou that I will leave my kingly throne,</li>
  <li>Wherein my grandsire and my father sat?</li>
  <li>No: first shall war unpeople this my realm;</li>
  <li>Ay, and their colours, often borne in France,</li>
  <li>And now in England to our heart's great sorrow,</li>
  <li class="number">Shall be my winding-sheet. Why faint you, lords?</li>
  <li>My title's good, and better far than his.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Prove it, Henry, and thou shalt be king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Henry the Fourth by conquest got the crown.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>'Twas by rebellion against his king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">Aside  I know not what to say; my title's weak. — </li>
  <li>Tell me, may not a king adopt an heir?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>What then?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>An if he may, then am I lawful king;</li>
  <li>For Richard, in the view of many lords,</li>
  <li class="number">Resign'd the crown to Henry the Fourth,</li>
  <li>Whose heir my father was, and I am his.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>He rose against him, being his sovereign,</li>
  <li>And made him to resign his crown perforce.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Suppose, my lords, he did it unconstrain'd,</li>
  <li class="number">Think you 'twere prejudicial to his crown?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EXETER</li>
  <li>No; for he could not so resign his crown</li>
  <li>But that the next heir should succeed and reign.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Art thou against us, Duke of Exeter?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EXETER</li>
  <li>His is the right, and therefore pardon me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li class="number">Why whisper you, my lords, and answer not?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EXETER</li>
  <li>My conscience tells me he is lawful king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Aside  All will revolt from me, and turn to him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li>Plantagenet, for all the claim thou lay'st,</li>
  <li>Think not that Henry shall be so deposed.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">Deposed he shall be, in despite of all.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li>Thou art deceived: 'tis not thy southern power,</li>
  <li>Of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, nor of Kent,</li>
  <li>Which makes thee thus presumptuous and proud,</li>
  <li>Can set the duke up in despite of me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li class="number">King Henry, be thy title right or wrong,</li>
  <li>Lord Clifford vows to fight in thy defence:</li>
  <li>May that ground gape and swallow me alive,</li>
  <li>Where I shall kneel to him that slew my father!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>O Clifford, how thy words revive my heart!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li class="number">Henry of Lancaster, resign thy crown.</li>
  <li>What mutter you, or what conspire you, lords?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Do right unto this princely Duke of York,</li>
  <li>Or I will fill the house with armed men,</li>
  <li>And over the chair of state, where now he sits,</li>
  <li class="number">Write up his title with usurping blood.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">He stamps with his foot and the soldiers show
themselves</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>My Lord of Warwick, hear me but one word:</li>
  <li>Let me for this my life-time reign as king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs,</li>
  <li>And thou shalt reign in quiet while thou livest.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">I am content: Richard Plantagenet,</li>
  <li>Enjoy the kingdom after my decease.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>What wrong is this unto the prince your son!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>What good is this to England and himself!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WESTMORELAND</li>
  <li>Base, fearful and despairing Henry!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li class="number">How hast thou injured both thyself and us!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WESTMORELAND</li>
  <li>I cannot stay to hear these articles.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li>Nor I.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>Come, cousin, let us tell the queen these news.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WESTMORELAND</li>
  <li>Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king,</li>
  <li class="number">In whose cold blood no spark of honour bides.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li>Be thou a prey unto the house of York,</li>
  <li>And die in bands for this unmanly deed!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>In dreadful war mayst thou be overcome,</li>
  <li>Or live in peace abandon'd and despised!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt NORTHUMBERLAND, CLIFFORD, and WESTMORELAND</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">Turn this way, Henry, and regard them not.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EXETER</li>
  <li>They seek revenge and therefore will not yield.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Ah, Exeter!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Why should you sigh, my lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Not for myself, Lord Warwick, but my son,</li>
  <li class="number">Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit.</li>
  <li>But be it as it may: I here entail</li>
  <li>The crown to thee and to thine heirs for ever;</li>
  <li>Conditionally, that here thou take an oath</li>
  <li>To cease this civil war, and, whilst I live,</li>
  <li class="number">To honour me as thy king and sovereign,</li>
  <li>And neither by treason nor hostility</li>
  <li>To seek to put me down and reign thyself.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>This oath I willingly take and will perform.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Long live King Henry! Plantagenet embrace him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">And long live thou and these thy forward sons!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Now York and Lancaster are reconciled.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EXETER</li>
  <li>Accursed be he that seeks to make them foes!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Sennet. Here they come down</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Farewell, my gracious lord; I'll to my castle.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>And I'll keep London with my soldiers.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORFOLK</li>
  <li class="number">And I to Norfolk with my followers.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">MONTAGUE</li>
  <li>And I unto the sea from whence I came.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt YORK, EDWARD, EDMUND, GEORGE, RICHARD,
WARWICK, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, their Soldiers, and
Attendants</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>And I, with grief and sorrow, to the court.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter QUEEN MARGARET and PRINCE EDWARD</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EXETER</li>
  <li>Here comes the queen, whose looks bewray her anger:</li>
  <li>I'll steal away.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">Exeter, so will I.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Nay, go not from me; I will follow thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Be patient, gentle queen, and I will stay.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Who can be patient in such extremes?</li>
  <li>Ah, wretched man! would I had died a maid</li>
  <li class="number">And never seen thee, never borne thee son,</li>
  <li>Seeing thou hast proved so unnatural a father</li>
  <li>Hath he deserved to lose his birthright thus?</li>
  <li>Hadst thou but loved him half so well as I,</li>
  <li>Or felt that pain which I did for him once,</li>
  <li class="number">Or nourish'd him as I did with my blood,</li>
  <li>Thou wouldst have left thy dearest heart-blood there,</li>
  <li>Rather than have that savage duke thine heir</li>
  <li>And disinherited thine only son.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>Father, you cannot disinherit me:</li>
  <li class="number">If you be king, why should not I succeed?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Pardon me, Margaret; pardon me, sweet son:</li>
  <li>The Earl of Warwick and the duke enforced me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Enforced thee! art thou king, and wilt be forced?</li>
  <li>I shame to hear thee speak. Ah, timorous wretch!</li>
  <li class="number">Thou hast undone thyself, thy son and me;</li>
  <li>And given unto the house of York such head</li>
  <li>As thou shalt reign but by their sufferance.</li>
  <li>To entail him and his heirs unto the crown,</li>
  <li>What is it, but to make thy sepulchre</li>
  <li class="number">And creep into it far before thy time?</li>
  <li>Warwick is chancellor and the lord of Calais;</li>
  <li>Stern Falconbridge commands the narrow seas;</li>
  <li>The duke is made protector of the realm;</li>
  <li>And yet shalt thou be safe? such safety finds</li>
  <li class="number">The trembling lamb environed with wolves.</li>
  <li>Had I been there, which am a silly woman,</li>
  <li>The soldiers should have toss'd me on their pikes</li>
  <li>Before I would have granted to that act.</li>
  <li>But thou preferr'st thy life before thine honour:</li>
  <li class="number">And seeing thou dost, I here divorce myself</li>
  <li>Both from thy table, Henry, and thy bed,</li>
  <li>Until that act of parliament be repeal'd</li>
  <li>Whereby my son is disinherited.</li>
  <li>The northern lords that have forsworn thy colours</li>
  <li class="number">Will follow mine, if once they see them spread;</li>
  <li>And spread they shall be, to thy foul disgrace</li>
  <li>And utter ruin of the house of York.</li>
  <li>Thus do I leave thee. Come, son, let's away;</li>
  <li>Our army is ready; come, we'll after them.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">Stay, gentle Margaret, and hear me speak.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Thou hast spoke too much already: get thee gone.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Gentle son Edward, thou wilt stay with me?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Ay, to be murder'd by his enemies.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>When I return with victory from the field</li>
  <li class="number">I'll see your grace: till then I'll follow her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Come, son, away; we may not linger thus.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt QUEEN MARGARET and PRINCE EDWARD</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Poor queen! how love to me and to her son</li>
  <li>Hath made her break out into terms of rage!</li>
  <li>Revenged may she be on that hateful duke,</li>
  <li class="number">Whose haughty spirit, winged with desire,</li>
  <li>Will cost my crown, and like an empty eagle</li>
  <li>Tire on the flesh of me and of my son!</li>
  <li>The loss of those three lords torments my heart:</li>
  <li>I'll write unto them and entreat them fair.</li>
  <li class="number">Come, cousin you shall be the messenger.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EXETER</li>
  <li>And I, I hope, shall reconcile them all.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE II.  Sandal Castle.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter RICHARD, EDWARD, and MONTAGUE</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Brother, though I be youngest, give me leave.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>No, I can better play the orator.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">MONTAGUE</li>
  <li>But I have reasons strong and forcible.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter YORK</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Why, how now, sons and brother! at a strife?</li>
  <li class="number">What is your quarrel? how began it first?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>No quarrel, but a slight contention.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>About what?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>About that which concerns your grace and us;</li>
  <li>The crown of England, father, which is yours.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li class="number">Mine boy? not till King Henry be dead.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Your right depends not on his life or death.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>Now you are heir, therefore enjoy it now:</li>
  <li>By giving the house of Lancaster leave to breathe,</li>
  <li>It will outrun you, father, in the end.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li class="number">I took an oath that he should quietly reign.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>But for a kingdom any oath may be broken:</li>
  <li>I would break a thousand oaths to reign one year.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>No; God forbid your grace should be forsworn.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>I shall be, if I claim by open war.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li class="number">I'll prove the contrary, if you'll hear me speak.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Thou canst not, son; it is impossible.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>An oath is of no moment, being not took</li>
  <li>Before a true and lawful magistrate,</li>
  <li>That hath authority over him that swears:</li>
  <li class="number">Henry had none, but did usurp the place;</li>
  <li>Then, seeing 'twas he that made you to depose,</li>
  <li>Your oath, my lord, is vain and frivolous.</li>
  <li>Therefore, to arms! And, father, do but think</li>
  <li>How sweet a thing it is to wear a crown;</li>
  <li class="number">Within whose circuit is Elysium</li>
  <li>And all that poets feign of bliss and joy.</li>
  <li>Why do we finger thus? I cannot rest</li>
  <li>Until the white rose that I wear be dyed</li>
  <li>Even in the lukewarm blood of Henry's heart.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li class="number">Richard, enough; I will be king, or die.</li>
  <li>Brother, thou shalt to London presently,</li>
  <li>And whet on Warwick to this enterprise.</li>
  <li>Thou, Richard, shalt to the Duke of Norfolk,</li>
  <li>And tell him privily of our intent.</li>
  <li class="number">You Edward, shall unto my Lord Cobham,</li>
  <li>With whom the Kentishmen will willingly rise:</li>
  <li>In them I trust; for they are soldiers,</li>
  <li>Witty, courteous, liberal, full of spirit.</li>
  <li>While you are thus employ'd, what resteth more,</li>
  <li class="number">But that I seek occasion how to rise,</li>
  <li>And yet the king not privy to my drift,</li>
  <li>Nor any of the house of Lancaster?</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter a Messenger</li>
  <li>But, stay: what news? Why comest thou in such post?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li>The queen with all the northern earls and lords</li>
  <li class="number">Intend here to besiege you in your castle:</li>
  <li>She is hard by with twenty thousand men;</li>
  <li>And therefore fortify your hold, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Ay, with my sword. What! think'st thou that we fear them?</li>
  <li>Edward and Richard, you shall stay with me;</li>
  <li class="number">My brother Montague shall post to London:</li>
  <li>Let noble Warwick, Cobham, and the rest,</li>
  <li>Whom we have left protectors of the king,</li>
  <li>With powerful policy strengthen themselves,</li>
  <li>And trust not simple Henry nor his oaths.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">MONTAGUE</li>
  <li class="number">Brother, I go; I'll win them, fear it not:</li>
  <li>And thus most humbly I do take my leave.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter JOHN MORTIMER and HUGH MORTIMER</li>
  <li>Sir John and Sir Hugh Mortimer, mine uncles,</li>
  <li>You are come to Sandal in a happy hour;</li>
  <li>The army of the queen mean to besiege us.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JOHN MORTIMER</li>
  <li class="number">She shall not need; we'll meet her in the field.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>What, with five thousand men?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Ay, with five hundred, father, for a need:</li>
  <li>A woman's general; what should we fear?</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">A march afar off</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>I hear their drums: let's set our men in order,</li>
  <li class="number">And issue forth and bid them battle straight.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Five men to twenty! though the odds be great,</li>
  <li>I doubt not, uncle, of our victory.</li>
  <li>Many a battle have I won in France,</li>
  <li>When as the enemy hath been ten to one:</li>
  <li class="number">Why should I not now have the like success?</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Alarum. Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE III.  Field of battle betwixt Sandal Castle and Wakefield.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Alarums. Enter RUTLAND and his Tutor</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RUTLAND</li>
  <li>Ah, whither shall I fly to 'scape their hands?</li>
  <li>Ah, tutor, look where bloody Clifford comes!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter CLIFFORD and Soldiers</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>Chaplain, away! thy priesthood saves thy life.</li>
  <li>As for the brat of this accursed duke,</li>
  <li class="number">Whose father slew my father, he shall die.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Tutor</li>
  <li>And I, my lord, will bear him company.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>Soldiers, away with him!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Tutor</li>
  <li>Ah, Clifford, murder not this innocent child,</li>
  <li>Lest thou be hated both of God and man!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit, dragged off by Soldiers</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li class="number">How now! is he dead already? or is it fear</li>
  <li>That makes him close his eyes? I'll open them.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RUTLAND</li>
  <li>So looks the pent-up lion o'er the wretch</li>
  <li>That trembles under his devouring paws;</li>
  <li>And so he walks, insulting o'er his prey,</li>
  <li class="number">And so he comes, to rend his limbs asunder.</li>
  <li>Ah, gentle Clifford, kill me with thy sword,</li>
  <li>And not with such a cruel threatening look.</li>
  <li>Sweet Clifford, hear me speak before I die.</li>
  <li>I am too mean a subject for thy wrath:</li>
  <li class="number">Be thou revenged on men, and let me live.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>In vain thou speak'st, poor boy; my father's blood</li>
  <li>Hath stopp'd the passage where thy words should enter.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RUTLAND</li>
  <li>Then let my father's blood open it again:</li>
  <li>He is a man, and, Clifford, cope with him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li class="number">Had thy brethren here, their lives and thine</li>
  <li>Were not revenge sufficient for me;</li>
  <li>No, if I digg'd up thy forefathers' graves</li>
  <li>And hung their rotten coffins up in chains,</li>
  <li>It could not slake mine ire, nor ease my heart.</li>
  <li class="number">The sight of any of the house of York</li>
  <li>Is as a fury to torment my soul;</li>
  <li>And till I root out their accursed line</li>
  <li>And leave not one alive, I live in hell.</li>
  <li>Therefore — </li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Lifting his hand</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RUTLAND</li>
  <li class="number">O, let me pray before I take my death!</li>
  <li>To thee I pray; sweet Clifford, pity me!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>Such pity as my rapier's point affords.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RUTLAND</li>
  <li>I never did thee harm: why wilt thou slay me?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>Thy father hath.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RUTLAND</li>
  <li class="number">But 'twas ere I was born.</li>
  <li>Thou hast one son; for his sake pity me,</li>
  <li>Lest in revenge thereof, sith God is just,</li>
  <li>He be as miserably slain as I.</li>
  <li>Ah, let me live in prison all my days;</li>
  <li class="number">And when I give occasion of offence,</li>
  <li>Then let me die, for now thou hast no cause.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>No cause!</li>
  <li>Thy father slew my father; therefore, die.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Stabs him</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RUTLAND</li>
  <li>Di faciant laudis summa sit ista tuae!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Dies</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li class="number">Plantagenet! I come, Plantagenet!</li>
  <li>And this thy son's blood cleaving to my blade</li>
  <li>Shall rust upon my weapon, till thy blood,</li>
  <li>Congeal'd with this, do make me wipe off both.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE IV.  Another part of the field.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Alarum. Enter YORK</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>The army of the queen hath got the field:</li>
  <li>My uncles both are slain in rescuing me;</li>
  <li>And all my followers to the eager foe</li>
  <li>Turn back and fly, like ships before the wind</li>
  <li class="number">Or lambs pursued by hunger-starved wolves.</li>
  <li>My sons, God knows what hath bechanced them:</li>
  <li>But this I know, they have demean'd themselves</li>
  <li>Like men born to renown by life or death.</li>
  <li>Three times did Richard make a lane to me.</li>
  <li class="number">And thrice cried 'Courage, father! fight it out!'</li>
  <li>And full as oft came Edward to my side,</li>
  <li>With purple falchion, painted to the hilt</li>
  <li>In blood of those that had encounter'd him:</li>
  <li>And when the hardiest warriors did retire,</li>
  <li class="number">Richard cried 'Charge! and give no foot of ground!'</li>
  <li>And cried 'A crown, or else a glorious tomb!</li>
  <li>A sceptre, or an earthly sepulchre!'</li>
  <li>With this, we charged again: but, out, alas!</li>
  <li>We bodged again; as I have seen a swan</li>
  <li class="number">With bootless labour swim against the tide</li>
  <li>And spend her strength with over-matching waves.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">A short alarum within</li>
  <li>Ah, hark! the fatal followers do pursue;</li>
  <li>And I am faint and cannot fly their fury:</li>
  <li>And were I strong, I would not shun their fury:</li>
  <li class="number">The sands are number'd that make up my life;</li>
  <li>Here must I stay, and here my life must end.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter QUEEN MARGARET, CLIFFORD, NORTHUMBERLAND,
PRINCE EDWARD, and Soldiers</li>
  <li>Come, bloody Clifford, rough Northumberland,</li>
  <li>I dare your quenchless fury to more rage:</li>
  <li>I am your butt, and I abide your shot.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li class="number">Yield to our mercy, proud Plantagenet.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>Ay, to such mercy as his ruthless arm,</li>
  <li>With downright payment, show'd unto my father.</li>
  <li>Now Phaethon hath tumbled from his car,</li>
  <li>And made an evening at the noontide prick.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li class="number">My ashes, as the phoenix, may bring forth</li>
  <li>A bird that will revenge upon you all:</li>
  <li>And in that hope I throw mine eyes to heaven,</li>
  <li>Scorning whate'er you can afflict me with.</li>
  <li>Why come you not? what! multitudes, and fear?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li class="number">So cowards fight when they can fly no further;</li>
  <li>So doves do peck the falcon's piercing talons;</li>
  <li>So desperate thieves, all hopeless of their lives,</li>
  <li>Breathe out invectives 'gainst the officers.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>O Clifford, but bethink thee once again,</li>
  <li class="number">And in thy thought o'er-run my former time;</li>
  <li>And, if though canst for blushing, view this face,</li>
  <li>And bite thy tongue, that slanders him with cowardice</li>
  <li>Whose frown hath made thee faint and fly ere this!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>I will not bandy with thee word for word,</li>
  <li class="number">But buckle with thee blows, twice two for one.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Hold, valiant Clifford! for a thousand causes</li>
  <li>I would prolong awhile the traitor's life.</li>
  <li>Wrath makes him deaf: speak thou, Northumberland.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li>Hold, Clifford! do not honour him so much</li>
  <li class="number">To prick thy finger, though to wound his heart:</li>
  <li>What valour were it, when a cur doth grin,</li>
  <li>For one to thrust his hand between his teeth,</li>
  <li>When he might spurn him with his foot away?</li>
  <li>It is war's prize to take all vantages;</li>
  <li class="number">And ten to one is no impeach of valour.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">They lay hands on YORK, who struggles</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>Ay, ay, so strives the woodcock with the gin.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li>So doth the cony struggle in the net.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>So triumph thieves upon their conquer'd booty;</li>
  <li>So true men yield, with robbers so o'ermatch'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li class="number">What would your grace have done unto him now?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Brave warriors, Clifford and Northumberland,</li>
  <li>Come, make him stand upon this molehill here,</li>
  <li>That raught at mountains with outstretched arms,</li>
  <li>Yet parted but the shadow with his hand.</li>
  <li class="number">What! was it you that would be England's king?</li>
  <li>Was't you that revell'd in our parliament,</li>
  <li>And made a preachment of your high descent?</li>
  <li>Where are your mess of sons to back you now?</li>
  <li>The wanton Edward, and the lusty George?</li>
  <li class="number">And where's that valiant crook-back prodigy,</li>
  <li>Dicky your boy, that with his grumbling voice</li>
  <li>Was wont to cheer his dad in mutinies?</li>
  <li>Or, with the rest, where is your darling Rutland?</li>
  <li>Look, York: I stain'd this napkin with the blood</li>
  <li class="number">That valiant Clifford, with his rapier's point,</li>
  <li>Made issue from the bosom of the boy;</li>
  <li>And if thine eyes can water for his death,</li>
  <li>I give thee this to dry thy cheeks withal.</li>
  <li>Alas poor York! but that I hate thee deadly,</li>
  <li class="number">I should lament thy miserable state.</li>
  <li>I prithee, grieve, to make me merry, York.</li>
  <li>What, hath thy fiery heart so parch'd thine entrails</li>
  <li>That not a tear can fall for Rutland's death?</li>
  <li>Why art thou patient, man? thou shouldst be mad;</li>
  <li class="number">And I, to make thee mad, do mock thee thus.</li>
  <li>Stamp, rave, and fret, that I may sing and dance.</li>
  <li>Thou wouldst be fee'd, I see, to make me sport:</li>
  <li>York cannot speak, unless he wear a crown.</li>
  <li>A crown for York! and, lords, bow low to him:</li>
  <li class="number">Hold you his hands, whilst I do set it on.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Putting a paper crown on his head</li>
  <li>Ay, marry, sir, now looks he like a king!</li>
  <li>Ay, this is he that took King Henry's chair,</li>
  <li>And this is he was his adopted heir.</li>
  <li>But how is it that great Plantagenet</li>
  <li class="number">Is crown'd so soon, and broke his solemn oath?</li>
  <li>As I bethink me, you should not be king</li>
  <li>Till our King Henry had shook hands with death.</li>
  <li>And will you pale your head in Henry's glory,</li>
  <li>And rob his temples of the diadem,</li>
  <li class="number">Now in his life, against your holy oath?</li>
  <li>O, 'tis a fault too too unpardonable!</li>
  <li>Off with the crown, and with the crown his head;</li>
  <li>And, whilst we breathe, take time to do him dead.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>That is my office, for my father's sake.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">Nay, stay; lets hear the orisons he makes.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>She-wolf of France, but worse than wolves of France,</li>
  <li>Whose tongue more poisons than the adder's tooth!</li>
  <li>How ill-beseeming is it in thy sex</li>
  <li>To triumph, like an Amazonian trull,</li>
  <li class="number">Upon their woes whom fortune captivates!</li>
  <li>But that thy face is, vizard-like, unchanging,</li>
  <li>Made impudent with use of evil deeds,</li>
  <li>I would assay, proud queen, to make thee blush.</li>
  <li>To tell thee whence thou camest, of whom derived,</li>
  <li class="number">Were shame enough to shame thee, wert thou not shameless.</li>
  <li>Thy father bears the type of King of Naples,</li>
  <li>Of both the Sicils and Jerusalem,</li>
  <li>Yet not so wealthy as an English yeoman.</li>
  <li>Hath that poor monarch taught thee to insult?</li>
  <li class="number">It needs not, nor it boots thee not, proud queen,</li>
  <li>Unless the adage must be verified,</li>
  <li>That beggars mounted run their horse to death.</li>
  <li>'Tis beauty that doth oft make women proud;</li>
  <li>But, God he knows, thy share thereof is small:</li>
  <li class="number">'Tis virtue that doth make them most admired;</li>
  <li>The contrary doth make thee wonder'd at:</li>
  <li>'Tis government that makes them seem divine;</li>
  <li>The want thereof makes thee abominable:</li>
  <li>Thou art as opposite to every good</li>
  <li class="number">As the Antipodes are unto us,</li>
  <li>Or as the south to the septentrion.</li>
  <li>O tiger's heart wrapt in a woman's hide!</li>
  <li>How couldst thou drain the life-blood of the child,</li>
  <li>To bid the father wipe his eyes withal,</li>
  <li class="number">And yet be seen to bear a woman's face?</li>
  <li>Women are soft, mild, pitiful and flexible;</li>
  <li>Thou stern, obdurate, flinty, rough, remorseless.</li>
  <li>Bids't thou me rage? why, now thou hast thy wish:</li>
  <li>Wouldst have me weep? why, now thou hast thy will:</li>
  <li class="number">For raging wind blows up incessant showers,</li>
  <li>And when the rage allays, the rain begins.</li>
  <li>These tears are my sweet Rutland's obsequies:</li>
  <li>And every drop cries vengeance for his death,</li>
  <li>'Gainst thee, fell Clifford, and thee, false</li>
  <li class="number">Frenchwoman.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li>Beshrew me, but his passion moves me so</li>
  <li>That hardly can I cheque my eyes from tears.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>That face of his the hungry cannibals</li>
  <li>Would not have touch'd, would not have stain'd with blood:</li>
  <li class="number">But you are more inhuman, more inexorable,</li>
  <li>O, ten times more, than tigers of Hyrcania.</li>
  <li>See, ruthless queen, a hapless father's tears:</li>
  <li>This cloth thou dip'dst in blood of my sweet boy,</li>
  <li>And I with tears do wash the blood away.</li>
  <li class="number">Keep thou the napkin, and go boast of this:</li>
  <li>And if thou tell'st the heavy story right,</li>
  <li>Upon my soul, the hearers will shed tears;</li>
  <li>Yea even my foes will shed fast-falling tears,</li>
  <li>And say 'Alas, it was a piteous deed!'</li>
  <li class="number">There, take the crown, and, with the crown, my curse;</li>
  <li>And in thy need such comfort come to thee</li>
  <li>As now I reap at thy too cruel hand!</li>
  <li>Hard-hearted Clifford, take me from the world:</li>
  <li>My soul to heaven, my blood upon your heads!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li class="number">Had he been slaughter-man to all my kin,</li>
  <li>I should not for my life but weep with him.</li>
  <li>To see how inly sorrow gripes his soul.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>What, weeping-ripe, my Lord Northumberland?</li>
  <li>Think but upon the wrong he did us all,</li>
  <li class="number">And that will quickly dry thy melting tears.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>Here's for my oath, here's for my father's death.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Stabbing him</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>And here's to right our gentle-hearted king.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Stabbing him</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Open Thy gate of mercy, gracious God!</li>
  <li>My soul flies through these wounds to seek out Thee.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Dies</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">Off with his head, and set it on York gates;</li>
  <li>So York may overlook the town of York.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Flourish. Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

</section>

<section class="act">

<h2>ACT II</h2>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE I.  A plain near Mortimer's Cross in Herefordshire.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">A march. Enter EDWARD, RICHARD, and their power</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>I wonder how our princely father 'scaped,</li>
  <li>Or whether he be 'scaped away or no</li>
  <li>From Clifford's and Northumberland's pursuit:</li>
  <li>Had he been ta'en, we should have heard the news;</li>
  <li class="number">Had he been slain, we should have heard the news;</li>
  <li>Or had he 'scaped, methinks we should have heard</li>
  <li>The happy tidings of his good escape.</li>
  <li>How fares my brother? why is he so sad?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>I cannot joy, until I be resolved</li>
  <li class="number">Where our right valiant father is become.</li>
  <li>I saw him in the battle range about;</li>
  <li>And watch'd him how he singled Clifford forth.</li>
  <li>Methought he bore him in the thickest troop</li>
  <li>As doth a lion in a herd of neat;</li>
  <li class="number">Or as a bear, encompass'd round with dogs,</li>
  <li>Who having pinch'd a few and made them cry,</li>
  <li>The rest stand all aloof, and bark at him.</li>
  <li>So fared our father with his enemies;</li>
  <li>So fled his enemies my warlike father:</li>
  <li class="number">Methinks, 'tis prize enough to be his son.</li>
  <li>See how the morning opes her golden gates,</li>
  <li>And takes her farewell of the glorious sun!</li>
  <li>How well resembles it the prime of youth,</li>
  <li>Trimm'd like a younker prancing to his love!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li class="number">Dazzle mine eyes, or do I see three suns?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Three glorious suns, each one a perfect sun;</li>
  <li>Not separated with the racking clouds,</li>
  <li>But sever'd in a pale clear-shining sky.</li>
  <li>See, see! they join, embrace, and seem to kiss,</li>
  <li class="number">As if they vow'd some league inviolable:</li>
  <li>Now are they but one lamp, one light, one sun.</li>
  <li>In this the heaven figures some event.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>'Tis wondrous strange, the like yet never heard of.</li>
  <li>I think it cites us, brother, to the field,</li>
  <li class="number">That we, the sons of brave Plantagenet,</li>
  <li>Each one already blazing by our meeds,</li>
  <li>Should notwithstanding join our lights together</li>
  <li>And over-shine the earth as this the world.</li>
  <li>Whate'er it bodes, henceforward will I bear</li>
  <li class="number">Upon my target three fair-shining suns.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Nay, bear three daughters: by your leave I speak it,</li>
  <li>You love the breeder better than the male.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter a Messenger</li>
  <li>But what art thou, whose heavy looks foretell</li>
  <li>Some dreadful story hanging on thy tongue?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li class="number">Ah, one that was a woful looker-on</li>
  <li>When as the noble Duke of York was slain,</li>
  <li>Your princely father and my loving lord!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>O, speak no more, for I have heard too much.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Say how he died, for I will hear it all.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li class="number">Environed he was with many foes,</li>
  <li>And stood against them, as the hope of Troy</li>
  <li>Against the Greeks that would have enter'd Troy.</li>
  <li>But Hercules himself must yield to odds;</li>
  <li>And many strokes, though with a little axe,</li>
  <li class="number">Hew down and fell the hardest-timber'd oak.</li>
  <li>By many hands your father was subdued;</li>
  <li>But only slaughter'd by the ireful arm</li>
  <li>Of unrelenting Clifford and the queen,</li>
  <li>Who crown'd the gracious duke in high despite,</li>
  <li class="number">Laugh'd in his face; and when with grief he wept,</li>
  <li>The ruthless queen gave him to dry his cheeks</li>
  <li>A napkin steeped in the harmless blood</li>
  <li>Of sweet young Rutland, by rough Clifford slain:</li>
  <li>And after many scorns, many foul taunts,</li>
  <li class="number">They took his head, and on the gates of York</li>
  <li>They set the same; and there it doth remain,</li>
  <li>The saddest spectacle that e'er I view'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>Sweet Duke of York, our prop to lean upon,</li>
  <li>Now thou art gone, we have no staff, no stay.</li>
  <li class="number">O Clifford, boisterous Clifford! thou hast slain</li>
  <li>The flower of Europe for his chivalry;</li>
  <li>And treacherously hast thou vanquish'd him,</li>
  <li>For hand to hand he would have vanquish'd thee.</li>
  <li>Now my soul's palace is become a prison:</li>
  <li class="number">Ah, would she break from hence, that this my body</li>
  <li>Might in the ground be closed up in rest!</li>
  <li>For never henceforth shall I joy again,</li>
  <li>Never, O never shall I see more joy!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>I cannot weep; for all my body's moisture</li>
  <li class="number">Scarce serves to quench my furnace-burning heart:</li>
  <li>Nor can my tongue unload my heart's great burthen;</li>
  <li>For selfsame wind that I should speak withal</li>
  <li>Is kindling coals that fires all my breast,</li>
  <li>And burns me up with flames that tears would quench.</li>
  <li class="number">To weep is to make less the depth of grief:</li>
  <li>Tears then for babes; blows and revenge for me</li>
  <li>Richard, I bear thy name; I'll venge thy death,</li>
  <li>Or die renowned by attempting it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>His name that valiant duke hath left with thee;</li>
  <li class="number">His dukedom and his chair with me is left.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Nay, if thou be that princely eagle's bird,</li>
  <li>Show thy descent by gazing 'gainst the sun:</li>
  <li>For chair and dukedom, throne and kingdom say;</li>
  <li>Either that is thine, or else thou wert not his.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">March. Enter WARWICK, MONTAGUE, and their army</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">How now, fair lords! What fare? what news abroad?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Great Lord of Warwick, if we should recount</li>
  <li>Our baleful news, and at each word's deliverance</li>
  <li>Stab poniards in our flesh till all were told,</li>
  <li>The words would add more anguish than the wounds.</li>
  <li class="number">O valiant lord, the Duke of York is slain!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>O Warwick, Warwick! that Plantagenet,</li>
  <li>Which held three dearly as his soul's redemption,</li>
  <li>Is by the stern Lord Clifford done to death.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Ten days ago I drown'd these news in tears;</li>
  <li class="number">And now, to add more measure to your woes,</li>
  <li>I come to tell you things sith then befall'n.</li>
  <li>After the bloody fray at Wakefield fought,</li>
  <li>Where your brave father breathed his latest gasp,</li>
  <li>Tidings, as swiftly as the posts could run,</li>
  <li class="number">Were brought me of your loss and his depart.</li>
  <li>I, then in London keeper of the king,</li>
  <li>Muster'd my soldiers, gather'd flocks of friends,</li>
  <li>And very well appointed, as I thought,</li>
  <li>March'd toward Saint Alban's to intercept the queen,</li>
  <li class="number">Bearing the king in my behalf along;</li>
  <li>For by my scouts I was advertised</li>
  <li>That she was coming with a full intent</li>
  <li>To dash our late decree in parliament</li>
  <li>Touching King Henry's oath and your succession.</li>
  <li class="number">Short tale to make, we at Saint Alban's met</li>
  <li>Our battles join'd, and both sides fiercely fought:</li>
  <li>But whether 'twas the coldness of the king,</li>
  <li>Who look'd full gently on his warlike queen,</li>
  <li>That robb'd my soldiers of their heated spleen;</li>
  <li class="number">Or whether 'twas report of her success;</li>
  <li>Or more than common fear of Clifford's rigour,</li>
  <li>Who thunders to his captives blood and death,</li>
  <li>I cannot judge: but to conclude with truth,</li>
  <li>Their weapons like to lightning came and went;</li>
  <li class="number">Our soldiers', like the night-owl's lazy flight,</li>
  <li>Or like an idle thresher with a flail,</li>
  <li>Fell gently down, as if they struck their friends.</li>
  <li>I cheer'd them up with justice of our cause,</li>
  <li>With promise of high pay and great rewards:</li>
  <li class="number">But all in vain; they had no heart to fight,</li>
  <li>And we in them no hope to win the day;</li>
  <li>So that we fled; the king unto the queen;</li>
  <li>Lord George your brother, Norfolk and myself,</li>
  <li>In haste, post-haste, are come to join with you:</li>
  <li class="number">For in the marches here we heard you were,</li>
  <li>Making another head to fight again.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>Where is the Duke of Norfolk, gentle Warwick?</li>
  <li>And when came George from Burgundy to England?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Some six miles off the duke is with the soldiers;</li>
  <li class="number">And for your brother, he was lately sent</li>
  <li>From your kind aunt, Duchess of Burgundy,</li>
  <li>With aid of soldiers to this needful war.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>'Twas odds, belike, when valiant Warwick fled:</li>
  <li>Oft have I heard his praises in pursuit,</li>
  <li class="number">But ne'er till now his scandal of retire.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Nor now my scandal, Richard, dost thou hear;</li>
  <li>For thou shalt know this strong right hand of mine</li>
  <li>Can pluck the diadem from faint Henry's head,</li>
  <li>And wring the awful sceptre from his fist,</li>
  <li class="number">Were he as famous and as bold in war</li>
  <li>As he is famed for mildness, peace, and prayer.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>I know it well, Lord Warwick; blame me not:</li>
  <li>'Tis love I bear thy glories makes me speak.</li>
  <li>But in this troublous time what's to be done?</li>
  <li class="number">Shall we go throw away our coats of steel,</li>
  <li>And wrap our bodies in black mourning gowns,</li>
  <li>Numbering our Ave-Maries with our beads?</li>
  <li>Or shall we on the helmets of our foes</li>
  <li>Tell our devotion with revengeful arms?</li>
  <li class="number">If for the last, say ay, and to it, lords.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Why, therefore Warwick came to seek you out;</li>
  <li>And therefore comes my brother Montague.</li>
  <li>Attend me, lords. The proud insulting queen,</li>
  <li>With Clifford and the haught Northumberland,</li>
  <li class="number">And of their feather many more proud birds,</li>
  <li>Have wrought the easy-melting king like wax.</li>
  <li>He swore consent to your succession,</li>
  <li>His oath enrolled in the parliament;</li>
  <li>And now to London all the crew are gone,</li>
  <li class="number">To frustrate both his oath and what beside</li>
  <li>May make against the house of Lancaster.</li>
  <li>Their power, I think, is thirty thousand strong:</li>
  <li>Now, if the help of Norfolk and myself,</li>
  <li>With all the friends that thou, brave Earl of March,</li>
  <li class="number">Amongst the loving Welshmen canst procure,</li>
  <li>Will but amount to five and twenty thousand,</li>
  <li>Why, Via! to London will we march amain,</li>
  <li>And once again bestride our foaming steeds,</li>
  <li>And once again cry 'Charge upon our foes!'</li>
  <li class="number">But never once again turn back and fly.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Ay, now methinks I hear great Warwick speak:</li>
  <li>Ne'er may he live to see a sunshine day,</li>
  <li>That cries 'Retire,' if Warwick bid him stay.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>Lord Warwick, on thy shoulder will I lean;</li>
  <li class="number">And when thou fail'st — as God forbid the hour! — </li>
  <li>Must Edward fall, which peril heaven forfend!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>No longer Earl of March, but Duke of York:</li>
  <li>The next degree is England's royal throne;</li>
  <li>For King of England shalt thou be proclaim'd</li>
  <li class="number">In every borough as we pass along;</li>
  <li>And he that throws not up his cap for joy</li>
  <li>Shall for the fault make forfeit of his head.</li>
  <li>King Edward, valiant Richard, Montague,</li>
  <li>Stay we no longer, dreaming of renown,</li>
  <li class="number">But sound the trumpets, and about our task.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Then, Clifford, were thy heart as hard as steel,</li>
  <li>As thou hast shown it flinty by thy deeds,</li>
  <li>I come to pierce it, or to give thee mine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>Then strike up drums: God and Saint George for us!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter a Messenger</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">How now! what news?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li>The Duke of Norfolk sends you word by me,</li>
  <li>The queen is coming with a puissant host;</li>
  <li>And craves your company for speedy counsel.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Why then it sorts, brave warriors, let's away.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li class="number">3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE II.  Before York.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Flourish. Enter KING HENRY VI, QUEEN MARGARET,
PRINCE EDWARD, CLIFFORD, and NORTHUMBERLAND, with
drum and trumpets</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Welcome, my lord, to this brave town of York.</li>
  <li>Yonder's the head of that arch-enemy</li>
  <li>That sought to be encompass'd with your crown:</li>
  <li>Doth not the object cheer your heart, my lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, as the rocks cheer them that fear their wreck:</li>
  <li>To see this sight, it irks my very soul.</li>
  <li>Withhold revenge, dear God! 'tis not my fault,</li>
  <li>Nor wittingly have I infringed my vow.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>My gracious liege, this too much lenity</li>
  <li class="number">And harmful pity must be laid aside.</li>
  <li>To whom do lions cast their gentle looks?</li>
  <li>Not to the beast that would usurp their den.</li>
  <li>Whose hand is that the forest bear doth lick?</li>
  <li>Not his that spoils her young before her face.</li>
  <li class="number">Who 'scapes the lurking serpent's mortal sting?</li>
  <li>Not he that sets his foot upon her back.</li>
  <li>The smallest worm will turn being trodden on,</li>
  <li>And doves will peck in safeguard of their brood.</li>
  <li>Ambitious York doth level at thy crown,</li>
  <li class="number">Thou smiling while he knit his angry brows:</li>
  <li>He, but a duke, would have his son a king,</li>
  <li>And raise his issue, like a loving sire;</li>
  <li>Thou, being a king, blest with a goodly son,</li>
  <li>Didst yield consent to disinherit him,</li>
  <li class="number">Which argued thee a most unloving father.</li>
  <li>Unreasonable creatures feed their young;</li>
  <li>And though man's face be fearful to their eyes,</li>
  <li>Yet, in protection of their tender ones,</li>
  <li>Who hath not seen them, even with those wings</li>
  <li class="number">Which sometime they have used with fearful flight,</li>
  <li>Make war with him that climb'd unto their nest,</li>
  <li>Offer their own lives in their young's defence?</li>
  <li>For shame, my liege, make them your precedent!</li>
  <li>Were it not pity that this goodly boy</li>
  <li class="number">Should lose his birthright by his father's fault,</li>
  <li>And long hereafter say unto his child,</li>
  <li>'What my great-grandfather and his grandsire got</li>
  <li>My careless father fondly gave away'?</li>
  <li>Ah, what a shame were this! Look on the boy;</li>
  <li class="number">And let his manly face, which promiseth</li>
  <li>Successful fortune, steel thy melting heart</li>
  <li>To hold thine own and leave thine own with him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Full well hath Clifford play'd the orator,</li>
  <li>Inferring arguments of mighty force.</li>
  <li class="number">But, Clifford, tell me, didst thou never hear</li>
  <li>That things ill-got had ever bad success?</li>
  <li>And happy always was it for that son</li>
  <li>Whose father for his hoarding went to hell?</li>
  <li>I'll leave my son my virtuous deeds behind;</li>
  <li class="number">And would my father had left me no more!</li>
  <li>For all the rest is held at such a rate</li>
  <li>As brings a thousand-fold more care to keep</li>
  <li>Than in possession and jot of pleasure.</li>
  <li>Ah, cousin York! would thy best friends did know</li>
  <li class="number">How it doth grieve me that thy head is here!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>My lord, cheer up your spirits: our foes are nigh,</li>
  <li>And this soft courage makes your followers faint.</li>
  <li>You promised knighthood to our forward son:</li>
  <li>Unsheathe your sword, and dub him presently.</li>
  <li class="number">Edward, kneel down.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Edward Plantagenet, arise a knight;</li>
  <li>And learn this lesson, draw thy sword in right.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE</li>
  <li>My gracious father, by your kingly leave,</li>
  <li>I'll draw it as apparent to the crown,</li>
  <li class="number">And in that quarrel use it to the death.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>Why, that is spoken like a toward prince.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter a Messenger</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li>Royal commanders, be in readiness:</li>
  <li>For with a band of thirty thousand men</li>
  <li>Comes Warwick, backing of the Duke of York;</li>
  <li class="number">And in the towns, as they do march along,</li>
  <li>Proclaims him king, and many fly to him:</li>
  <li>Darraign your battle, for they are at hand.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>I would your highness would depart the field:</li>
  <li>The queen hath best success when you are absent.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, good my lord, and leave us to our fortune.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Why, that's my fortune too; therefore I'll stay.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li>Be it with resolution then to fight.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>My royal father, cheer these noble lords</li>
  <li>And hearten those that fight in your defence:</li>
  <li class="number">Unsheathe your sword, good father; cry 'Saint George!'</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">March. Enter EDWARD, GEORGE, RICHARD, WARWICK,
NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, and Soldiers</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>Now, perjured Henry! wilt thou kneel for grace,</li>
  <li>And set thy diadem upon my head;</li>
  <li>Or bide the mortal fortune of the field?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Go, rate thy minions, proud insulting boy!</li>
  <li class="number">Becomes it thee to be thus bold in terms</li>
  <li>Before thy sovereign and thy lawful king?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>I am his king, and he should bow his knee;</li>
  <li>I was adopted heir by his consent:</li>
  <li>Since when, his oath is broke; for, as I hear,</li>
  <li class="number">You, that are king, though he do wear the crown,</li>
  <li>Have caused him, by new act of parliament,</li>
  <li>To blot out me, and put his own son in.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>And reason too:</li>
  <li>Who should succeed the father but the son?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li class="number">Are you there, butcher? O, I cannot speak!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>Ay, crook-back, here I stand to answer thee,</li>
  <li>Or any he the proudest of thy sort.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>'Twas you that kill'd young Rutland, was it not?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>Ay, and old York, and yet not satisfied.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li class="number">For God's sake, lords, give signal to the fight.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>What say'st thou, Henry, wilt thou yield the crown?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Why, how now, long-tongued Warwick! dare you speak?</li>
  <li>When you and I met at Saint Alban's last,</li>
  <li>Your legs did better service than your hands.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">Then 'twas my turn to fly, and now 'tis thine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>You said so much before, and yet you fled.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>'Twas not your valour, Clifford, drove me thence.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORTHUMBERLAND</li>
  <li>No, nor your manhood that durst make you stay.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Northumberland, I hold thee reverently.</li>
  <li class="number">Break off the parley; for scarce I can refrain</li>
  <li>The execution of my big-swoln heart</li>
  <li>Upon that Clifford, that cruel child-killer.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>I slew thy father, call'st thou him a child?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Ay, like a dastard and a treacherous coward,</li>
  <li class="number">As thou didst kill our tender brother Rutland;</li>
  <li>But ere sunset I'll make thee curse the deed.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Have done with words, my lords, and hear me speak.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Defy them then, or else hold close thy lips.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>I prithee, give no limits to my tongue:</li>
  <li class="number">I am a king, and privileged to speak.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>My liege, the wound that bred this meeting here</li>
  <li>Cannot be cured by words; therefore be still.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Then, executioner, unsheathe thy sword:</li>
  <li>By him that made us all, I am resolved</li>
  <li class="number">that Clifford's manhood lies upon his tongue.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>Say, Henry, shall I have my right, or no?</li>
  <li>A thousand men have broke their fasts to-day,</li>
  <li>That ne'er shall dine unless thou yield the crown.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>If thou deny, their blood upon thy head;</li>
  <li class="number">For York in justice puts his armour on.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>If that be right which Warwick says is right,</li>
  <li>There is no wrong, but every thing is right.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Whoever got thee, there thy mother stands;</li>
  <li>For, well I wot, thou hast thy mother's tongue.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">But thou art neither like thy sire nor dam;</li>
  <li>But like a foul mis-shapen stigmatic,</li>
  <li>Mark'd by the destinies to be avoided,</li>
  <li>As venom toads, or lizards' dreadful stings.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Iron of Naples hid with English gilt,</li>
  <li class="number">Whose father bears the title of a king —  </li>
  <li>As if a channel should be call'd the sea —  </li>
  <li>Shamest thou not, knowing whence thou art extraught,</li>
  <li>To let thy tongue detect thy base-born heart?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>A wisp of straw were worth a thousand crowns,</li>
  <li class="number">To make this shameless callet know herself.</li>
  <li>Helen of Greece was fairer far than thou,</li>
  <li>Although thy husband may be Menelaus;</li>
  <li>And ne'er was Agamemnon's brother wrong'd</li>
  <li>By that false woman, as this king by thee.</li>
  <li class="number">His father revell'd in the heart of France,</li>
  <li>And tamed the king, and made the dauphin stoop;</li>
  <li>And had he match'd according to his state,</li>
  <li>He might have kept that glory to this day;</li>
  <li>But when he took a beggar to his bed,</li>
  <li class="number">And graced thy poor sire with his bridal-day,</li>
  <li>Even then that sunshine brew'd a shower for him,</li>
  <li>That wash'd his father's fortunes forth of France,</li>
  <li>And heap'd sedition on his crown at home.</li>
  <li>For what hath broach'd this tumult but thy pride?</li>
  <li class="number">Hadst thou been meek, our title still had slept;</li>
  <li>And we, in pity of the gentle king,</li>
  <li>Had slipp'd our claim until another age.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GEORGE</li>
  <li>But when we saw our sunshine made thy spring,</li>
  <li>And that thy summer bred us no increase,</li>
  <li class="number">We set the axe to thy usurping root;</li>
  <li>And though the edge hath something hit ourselves,</li>
  <li>Yet, know thou, since we have begun to strike,</li>
  <li>We'll never leave till we have hewn thee down,</li>
  <li>Or bathed thy growing with our heated bloods.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li class="number">And, in this resolution, I defy thee;</li>
  <li>Not willing any longer conference,</li>
  <li>Since thou deniest the gentle king to speak.</li>
  <li>Sound trumpets! let our bloody colours wave!</li>
  <li>And either victory, or else a grave.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">Stay, Edward.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>No, wrangling woman, we'll no longer stay:</li>
  <li>These words will cost ten thousand lives this day.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE III.  A field of battle between Towton and Saxton, in Yorkshire.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Alarum. Excursions. Enter WARWICK</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Forspent with toil, as runners with a race,</li>
  <li>I lay me down a little while to breathe;</li>
  <li>For strokes received, and many blows repaid,</li>
  <li>Have robb'd my strong-knit sinews of their strength,</li>
  <li class="number">And spite of spite needs must I rest awhile.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter EDWARD, running</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>Smile, gentle heaven! or strike, ungentle death!</li>
  <li>For this world frowns, and Edward's sun is clouded.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>How now, my lord! what hap? what hope of good?</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter GEORGE</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GEORGE</li>
  <li>Our hap is loss, our hope but sad despair;</li>
  <li class="number">Our ranks are broke, and ruin follows us:</li>
  <li>What counsel give you? whither shall we fly?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>Bootless is flight, they follow us with wings;</li>
  <li>And weak we are and cannot shun pursuit.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter RICHARD</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Ah, Warwick, why hast thou withdrawn thyself?</li>
  <li class="number">Thy brother's blood the thirsty earth hath drunk,</li>
  <li>Broach'd with the steely point of Clifford's lance;</li>
  <li>And in the very pangs of death he cried,</li>
  <li>Like to a dismal clangour heard from far,</li>
  <li>'Warwick, revenge! brother, revenge my death!'</li>
  <li class="number">So, underneath the belly of their steeds,</li>
  <li>That stain'd their fetlocks in his smoking blood,</li>
  <li>The noble gentleman gave up the ghost.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Then let the earth be drunken with our blood:</li>
  <li>I'll kill my horse, because I will not fly.</li>
  <li class="number">Why stand we like soft-hearted women here,</li>
  <li>Wailing our losses, whiles the foe doth rage;</li>
  <li>And look upon, as if the tragedy</li>
  <li>Were play'd in jest by counterfeiting actors?</li>
  <li>Here on my knee I vow to God above,</li>
  <li class="number">I'll never pause again, never stand still,</li>
  <li>Till either death hath closed these eyes of mine</li>
  <li>Or fortune given me measure of revenge.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>O Warwick, I do bend my knee with thine;</li>
  <li>And in this vow do chain my soul to thine!</li>
  <li class="number">And, ere my knee rise from the earth's cold face,</li>
  <li>I throw my hands, mine eyes, my heart to thee,</li>
  <li>Thou setter up and plucker down of kings,</li>
  <li>Beseeching thee, if with they will it stands</li>
  <li>That to my foes this body must be prey,</li>
  <li class="number">Yet that thy brazen gates of heaven may ope,</li>
  <li>And give sweet passage to my sinful soul!</li>
  <li>Now, lords, take leave until we meet again,</li>
  <li>Where'er it be, in heaven or in earth.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Brother, give me thy hand; and, gentle Warwick,</li>
  <li class="number">Let me embrace thee in my weary arms:</li>
  <li>I, that did never weep, now melt with woe</li>
  <li>That winter should cut off our spring-time so.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Away, away! Once more, sweet lords farewell.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GEORGE</li>
  <li>Yet let us all together to our troops,</li>
  <li class="number">And give them leave to fly that will not stay;</li>
  <li>And call them pillars that will stand to us;</li>
  <li>And, if we thrive, promise them such rewards</li>
  <li>As victors wear at the Olympian games:</li>
  <li>This may plant courage in their quailing breasts;</li>
  <li class="number">For yet is hope of life and victory.</li>
  <li>Forslow no longer, make we hence amain.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE IV.  Another part of the field.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Excursions. Enter RICHARD and CLIFFORD</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Now, Clifford, I have singled thee alone:</li>
  <li>Suppose this arm is for the Duke of York,</li>
  <li>And this for Rutland; both bound to revenge,</li>
  <li>Wert thou environ'd with a brazen wall.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li class="number">Now, Richard, I am with thee here alone:</li>
  <li>This is the hand that stabb'd thy father York;</li>
  <li>And this the hand that slew thy brother Rutland;</li>
  <li>And here's the heart that triumphs in their death</li>
  <li>And cheers these hands that slew thy sire and brother</li>
  <li class="number">To execute the like upon thyself;</li>
  <li>And so, have at thee!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">They fight. WARWICK comes; CLIFFORD flies</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Nay Warwick, single out some other chase;</li>
  <li>For I myself will hunt this wolf to death.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE V.  Another part of the field.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Alarum. Enter KING HENRY VI alone</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>This battle fares like to the morning's war,</li>
  <li>When dying clouds contend with growing light,</li>
  <li>What time the shepherd, blowing of his nails,</li>
  <li>Can neither call it perfect day nor night.</li>
  <li class="number">Now sways it this way, like a mighty sea</li>
  <li>Forced by the tide to combat with the wind;</li>
  <li>Now sways it that way, like the selfsame sea</li>
  <li>Forced to retire by fury of the wind:</li>
  <li>Sometime the flood prevails, and then the wind;</li>
  <li class="number">Now one the better, then another best;</li>
  <li>Both tugging to be victors, breast to breast,</li>
  <li>Yet neither conqueror nor conquered:</li>
  <li>So is the equal of this fell war.</li>
  <li>Here on this molehill will I sit me down.</li>
  <li class="number">To whom God will, there be the victory!</li>
  <li>For Margaret my queen, and Clifford too,</li>
  <li>Have chid me from the battle; swearing both</li>
  <li>They prosper best of all when I am thence.</li>
  <li>Would I were dead! if God's good will were so;</li>
  <li class="number">For what is in this world but grief and woe?</li>
  <li>O God! methinks it were a happy life,</li>
  <li>To be no better than a homely swain;</li>
  <li>To sit upon a hill, as I do now,</li>
  <li>To carve out dials quaintly, point by point,</li>
  <li class="number">Thereby to see the minutes how they run,</li>
  <li>How many make the hour full complete;</li>
  <li>How many hours bring about the day;</li>
  <li>How many days will finish up the year;</li>
  <li>How many years a mortal man may live.</li>
  <li class="number">When this is known, then to divide the times:</li>
  <li>So many hours must I tend my flock;</li>
  <li>So many hours must I take my rest;</li>
  <li>So many hours must I contemplate;</li>
  <li>So many hours must I sport myself;</li>
  <li class="number">So many days my ewes have been with young;</li>
  <li>So many weeks ere the poor fools will ean:</li>
  <li>So many years ere I shall shear the fleece:</li>
  <li>So minutes, hours, days, months, and years,</li>
  <li>Pass'd over to the end they were created,</li>
  <li class="number">Would bring white hairs unto a quiet grave.</li>
  <li>Ah, what a life were this! how sweet! how lovely!</li>
  <li>Gives not the hawthorn-bush a sweeter shade</li>
  <li>To shepherds looking on their silly sheep,</li>
  <li>Than doth a rich embroider'd canopy</li>
  <li class="number">To kings that fear their subjects' treachery?</li>
  <li>O, yes, it doth; a thousand-fold it doth.</li>
  <li>And to conclude, the shepherd's homely curds,</li>
  <li>His cold thin drink out of his leather bottle.</li>
  <li>His wonted sleep under a fresh tree's shade,</li>
  <li class="number">All which secure and sweetly he enjoys,</li>
  <li>Is far beyond a prince's delicates,</li>
  <li>His viands sparkling in a golden cup,</li>
  <li>His body couched in a curious bed,</li>
  <li>When care, mistrust, and treason waits on him.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Alarum. Enter a Son that has killed his father,
dragging in the dead body</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Son</li>
  <li class="number">Ill blows the wind that profits nobody.</li>
  <li>This man, whom hand to hand I slew in fight,</li>
  <li>May be possessed with some store of crowns;</li>
  <li>And I, that haply take them from him now,</li>
  <li>May yet ere night yield both my life and them</li>
  <li class="number">To some man else, as this dead man doth me.</li>
  <li>Who's this? O God! it is my father's face,</li>
  <li>Whom in this conflict I unwares have kill'd.</li>
  <li>O heavy times, begetting such events!</li>
  <li>From London by the king was I press'd forth;</li>
  <li class="number">My father, being the Earl of Warwick's man,</li>
  <li>Came on the part of York, press'd by his master;</li>
  <li>And I, who at his hands received my life, him</li>
  <li>Have by my hands of life bereaved him.</li>
  <li>Pardon me, God, I knew not what I did!</li>
  <li class="number">And pardon, father, for I knew not thee!</li>
  <li>My tears shall wipe away these bloody marks;</li>
  <li>And no more words till they have flow'd their fill.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>O piteous spectacle! O bloody times!</li>
  <li>Whiles lions war and battle for their dens,</li>
  <li class="number">Poor harmless lambs abide their enmity.</li>
  <li>Weep, wretched man, I'll aid thee tear for tear;</li>
  <li>And let our hearts and eyes, like civil war,</li>
  <li>Be blind with tears, and break o'ercharged with grief.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter a Father that has killed his son, bringing in the body</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Father</li>
  <li>Thou that so stoutly hast resisted me,</li>
  <li class="number">Give me thy gold, if thou hast any gold:</li>
  <li>For I have bought it with an hundred blows.</li>
  <li>But let me see: is this our foeman's face?</li>
  <li>Ah, no, no, no, it is mine only son!</li>
  <li>Ah, boy, if any life be left in thee,</li>
  <li class="number">Throw up thine eye! see, see what showers arise,</li>
  <li>Blown with the windy tempest of my heart,</li>
  <li>Upon thy words, that kill mine eye and heart!</li>
  <li>O, pity, God, this miserable age!</li>
  <li>What stratagems, how fell, how butcherly,</li>
  <li class="number">Erroneous, mutinous and unnatural,</li>
  <li>This deadly quarrel daily doth beget!</li>
  <li>O boy, thy father gave thee life too soon,</li>
  <li>And hath bereft thee of thy life too late!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Woe above woe! grief more than common grief!</li>
  <li class="number">O that my death would stay these ruthful deeds!</li>
  <li>O pity, pity, gentle heaven, pity!</li>
  <li>The red rose and the white are on his face,</li>
  <li>The fatal colours of our striving houses:</li>
  <li>The one his purple blood right well resembles;</li>
  <li class="number">The other his pale cheeks, methinks, presenteth:</li>
  <li>Wither one rose, and let the other flourish;</li>
  <li>If you contend, a thousand lives must wither.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Son</li>
  <li>How will my mother for a father's death</li>
  <li>Take on with me and ne'er be satisfied!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Father</li>
  <li class="number">How will my wife for slaughter of my son</li>
  <li>Shed seas of tears and ne'er be satisfied!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>How will the country for these woful chances</li>
  <li>Misthink the king and not be satisfied!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Son</li>
  <li>Was ever son so rued a father's death?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Father</li>
  <li class="number">Was ever father so bemoan'd his son?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Was ever king so grieved for subjects' woe?</li>
  <li>Much is your sorrow; mine ten times so much.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Son</li>
  <li>I'll bear thee hence, where I may weep my fill.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit with the body</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Father</li>
  <li>These arms of mine shall be thy winding-sheet;</li>
  <li class="number">My heart, sweet boy, shall be thy sepulchre,</li>
  <li>For from my heart thine image ne'er shall go;</li>
  <li>My sighing breast shall be thy funeral bell;</li>
  <li>And so obsequious will thy father be,</li>
  <li>Even for the loss of thee, having no more,</li>
  <li class="number">As Priam was for all his valiant sons.</li>
  <li>I'll bear thee hence; and let them fight that will,</li>
  <li>For I have murdered where I should not kill.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit with the body</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Sad-hearted men, much overgone with care,</li>
  <li>Here sits a king more woful than you are.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Alarums: excursions. Enter QUEEN MARGARET, PRINCE
EDWARD, and EXETER</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li class="number">Fly, father, fly! for all your friends are fled,</li>
  <li>And Warwick rages like a chafed bull:</li>
  <li>Away! for death doth hold us in pursuit.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Mount you, my lord; towards Berwick post amain:</li>
  <li>Edward and Richard, like a brace of greyhounds</li>
  <li class="number">Having the fearful flying hare in sight,</li>
  <li>With fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath,</li>
  <li>And bloody steel grasp'd in their ireful hands,</li>
  <li>Are at our backs; and therefore hence amain.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EXETER</li>
  <li>Away! for vengeance comes along with them:</li>
  <li class="number">Nay, stay not to expostulate, make speed;</li>
  <li>Or else come after: I'll away before.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Nay, take me with thee, good sweet Exeter:</li>
  <li>Not that I fear to stay, but love to go</li>
  <li>Whither the queen intends. Forward; away!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li class="number">3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE VI.  Another part of the field.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">A loud alarum. Enter CLIFFORD, wounded</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLIFFORD</li>
  <li>Here burns my candle out; ay, here it dies,</li>
  <li>Which, whiles it lasted, gave King Henry light.</li>
  <li>O Lancaster, I fear thy overthrow</li>
  <li>More than my body's parting with my soul!</li>
  <li class="number">My love and fear glued many friends to thee;</li>
  <li>And, now I fall, thy tough commixture melts.</li>
  <li>Impairing Henry, strengthening misproud York,</li>
  <li>The common people swarm like summer flies;</li>
  <li>And whither fly the gnats but to the sun?</li>
  <li class="number">And who shines now but Henry's enemies?</li>
  <li>O Phoebus, hadst thou never given consent</li>
  <li>That Phaethon should cheque thy fiery steeds,</li>
  <li>Thy burning car never had scorch'd the earth!</li>
  <li>And, Henry, hadst thou sway'd as kings should do,</li>
  <li class="number">Or as thy father and his father did,</li>
  <li>Giving no ground unto the house of York,</li>
  <li>They never then had sprung like summer flies;</li>
  <li>I and ten thousand in this luckless realm</li>
  <li>Had left no mourning widows for our death;</li>
  <li class="number">And thou this day hadst kept thy chair in peace.</li>
  <li>For what doth cherish weeds but gentle air?</li>
  <li>And what makes robbers bold but too much lenity?</li>
  <li>Bootless are plaints, and cureless are my wounds;</li>
  <li>No way to fly, nor strength to hold out flight:</li>
  <li class="number">The foe is merciless, and will not pity;</li>
  <li>For at their hands I have deserved no pity.</li>
  <li>The air hath got into my deadly wounds,</li>
  <li>And much effuse of blood doth make me faint.</li>
  <li>Come, York and Richard, Warwick and the rest;</li>
  <li class="number">I stabb'd your fathers' bosoms, split my breast.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">He faints</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Alarum and retreat. Enter EDWARD, GEORGE, RICHARD,
MONTAGUE, WARWICK, and Soldiers</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>Now breathe we, lords: good fortune bids us pause,</li>
  <li>And smooth the frowns of war with peaceful looks.</li>
  <li>Some troops pursue the bloody-minded queen,</li>
  <li>That led calm Henry, though he were a king,</li>
  <li class="number">As doth a sail, fill'd with a fretting gust,</li>
  <li>Command an argosy to stem the waves.</li>
  <li>But think you, lords, that Clifford fled with them?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>No, 'tis impossible he should escape,</li>
  <li>For, though before his face I speak the words</li>
  <li class="number">Your brother Richard mark'd him for the grave:</li>
  <li>And wheresoe'er he is, he's surely dead.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">CLIFFORD groans, and dies</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>Whose soul is that which takes her heavy leave?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>A deadly groan, like life and death's departing.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>See who it is: and, now the battle's ended,</li>
  <li class="number">If friend or foe, let him be gently used.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Revoke that doom of mercy, for 'tis Clifford;</li>
  <li>Who not contented that he lopp'd the branch</li>
  <li>In hewing Rutland when his leaves put forth,</li>
  <li>But set his murdering knife unto the root</li>
  <li class="number">From whence that tender spray did sweetly spring,</li>
  <li>I mean our princely father, Duke of York.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>From off the gates of York fetch down the head,</li>
  <li>Your father's head, which Clifford placed there;</li>
  <li>Instead whereof let this supply the room:</li>
  <li class="number">Measure for measure must be answered.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>Bring forth that fatal screech-owl to our house,</li>
  <li>That nothing sung but death to us and ours:</li>
  <li>Now death shall stop his dismal threatening sound,</li>
  <li>And his ill-boding tongue no more shall speak.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">I think his understanding is bereft.</li>
  <li>Speak, Clifford, dost thou know who speaks to thee?</li>
  <li>Dark cloudy death o'ershades his beams of life,</li>
  <li>And he nor sees nor hears us what we say.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>O, would he did! and so perhaps he doth:</li>
  <li class="number">'Tis but his policy to counterfeit,</li>
  <li>Because he would avoid such bitter taunts</li>
  <li>Which in the time of death he gave our father.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GEORGE</li>
  <li>If so thou think'st, vex him with eager words.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Clifford, ask mercy and obtain no grace.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li class="number">Clifford, repent in bootless penitence.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Clifford, devise excuses for thy faults.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GEORGE</li>
  <li>While we devise fell tortures for thy faults.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Thou didst love York, and I am son to York.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>Thou pitied'st Rutland; I will pity thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GEORGE</li>
  <li class="number">Where's Captain Margaret, to fence you now?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>They mock thee, Clifford: swear as thou wast wont.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>What, not an oath? nay, then the world goes hard</li>
  <li>When Clifford cannot spare his friends an oath.</li>
  <li>I know by that he's dead; and, by my soul,</li>
  <li class="number">If this right hand would buy two hour's life,</li>
  <li>That I in all despite might rail at him,</li>
  <li>This hand should chop it off, and with the</li>
  <li>issuing blood</li>
  <li>Stifle the villain whose unstanched thirst</li>
  <li class="number">York and young Rutland could not satisfy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Ay, but he's dead: off with the traitor's head,</li>
  <li>And rear it in the place your father's stands.</li>
  <li>And now to London with triumphant march,</li>
  <li>There to be crowned England's royal king:</li>
  <li class="number">From whence shall Warwick cut the sea to France,</li>
  <li>And ask the Lady Bona for thy queen:</li>
  <li>So shalt thou sinew both these lands together;</li>
  <li>And, having France thy friend, thou shalt not dread</li>
  <li>The scatter'd foe that hopes to rise again;</li>
  <li class="number">For though they cannot greatly sting to hurt,</li>
  <li>Yet look to have them buzz to offend thine ears.</li>
  <li>First will I see the coronation;</li>
  <li>And then to Brittany I'll cross the sea,</li>
  <li>To effect this marriage, so it please my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li class="number">Even as thou wilt, sweet Warwick, let it be;</li>
  <li>For in thy shoulder do I build my seat,</li>
  <li>And never will I undertake the thing</li>
  <li>Wherein thy counsel and consent is wanting.</li>
  <li>Richard, I will create thee Duke of Gloucester,</li>
  <li class="number">And George, of Clarence: Warwick, as ourself,</li>
  <li>Shall do and undo as him pleaseth best.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHARD</li>
  <li>Let me be Duke of Clarence, George of Gloucester;</li>
  <li>For Gloucester's dukedom is too ominous.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Tut, that's a foolish observation:</li>
  <li class="number">Richard, be Duke of Gloucester. Now to London,</li>
  <li>To see these honours in possession.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

</section>

<section class="act">

<h2>ACT III</h2>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE I.  A forest in the north of England.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter two Keepers, with cross-bows in their hands</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Keeper</li>
  <li>Under this thick-grown brake we'll shroud ourselves;</li>
  <li>For through this laund anon the deer will come;</li>
  <li>And in this covert will we make our stand,</li>
  <li>Culling the principal of all the deer.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Keeper</li>
  <li class="number">I'll stay above the hill, so both may shoot.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Keeper</li>
  <li>That cannot be; the noise of thy cross-bow</li>
  <li>Will scare the herd, and so my shoot is lost.</li>
  <li>Here stand we both, and aim we at the best:</li>
  <li>And, for the time shall not seem tedious,</li>
  <li class="number">I'll tell thee what befell me on a day</li>
  <li>In this self-place where now we mean to stand.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Keeper</li>
  <li>Here comes a man; let's stay till he be past.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter KING HENRY VI, disguised, with a prayerbook</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>From Scotland am I stol'n, even of pure love,</li>
  <li>To greet mine own land with my wishful sight.</li>
  <li class="number">No, Harry, Harry, 'tis no land of thine;</li>
  <li>Thy place is fill'd, thy sceptre wrung from thee,</li>
  <li>Thy balm wash'd off wherewith thou wast anointed:</li>
  <li>No bending knee will call thee Caesar now,</li>
  <li>No humble suitors press to speak for right,</li>
  <li class="number">No, not a man comes for redress of thee;</li>
  <li>For how can I help them, and not myself?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Keeper</li>
  <li>Ay, here's a deer whose skin's a keeper's fee:</li>
  <li>This is the quondam king; let's seize upon him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Let me embrace thee, sour adversity,</li>
  <li class="number">For wise men say it is the wisest course.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Keeper</li>
  <li>Why linger we? let us lay hands upon him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Keeper</li>
  <li>Forbear awhile; we'll hear a little more.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>My queen and son are gone to France for aid;</li>
  <li>And, as I hear, the great commanding Warwick</li>
  <li class="number">Is thither gone, to crave the French king's sister</li>
  <li>To wife for Edward: if this news be true,</li>
  <li>Poor queen and son, your labour is but lost;</li>
  <li>For Warwick is a subtle orator,</li>
  <li>And Lewis a prince soon won with moving words.</li>
  <li class="number">By this account then Margaret may win him;</li>
  <li>For she's a woman to be pitied much:</li>
  <li>Her sighs will make a battery in his breast;</li>
  <li>Her tears will pierce into a marble heart;</li>
  <li>The tiger will be mild whiles she doth mourn;</li>
  <li class="number">And Nero will be tainted with remorse,</li>
  <li>To hear and see her plaints, her brinish tears.</li>
  <li>Ay, but she's come to beg, Warwick to give;</li>
  <li>She, on his left side, craving aid for Henry,</li>
  <li>He, on his right, asking a wife for Edward.</li>
  <li class="number">She weeps, and says her Henry is deposed;</li>
  <li>He smiles, and says his Edward is install'd;</li>
  <li>That she, poor wretch, for grief can speak no more;</li>
  <li>Whiles Warwick tells his title, smooths the wrong,</li>
  <li>Inferreth arguments of mighty strength,</li>
  <li class="number">And in conclusion wins the king from her,</li>
  <li>With promise of his sister, and what else,</li>
  <li>To strengthen and support King Edward's place.</li>
  <li>O Margaret, thus 'twill be; and thou, poor soul,</li>
  <li>Art then forsaken, as thou went'st forlorn!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Keeper</li>
  <li class="number">Say, what art thou that talk'st of kings and queens?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>More than I seem, and less than I was born to:</li>
  <li>A man at least, for less I should not be;</li>
  <li>And men may talk of kings, and why not I?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Keeper</li>
  <li>Ay, but thou talk'st as if thou wert a king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">Why, so I am, in mind; and that's enough.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Keeper</li>
  <li>But, if thou be a king, where is thy crown?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>My crown is in my heart, not on my head;</li>
  <li>Not decked with diamonds and Indian stones,</li>
  <li>Nor to be seen: my crown is called content:</li>
  <li class="number">A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Keeper</li>
  <li>Well, if you be a king crown'd with content,</li>
  <li>Your crown content and you must be contented</li>
  <li>To go along with us; for as we think,</li>
  <li>You are the king King Edward hath deposed;</li>
  <li class="number">And we his subjects sworn in all allegiance</li>
  <li>Will apprehend you as his enemy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>But did you never swear, and break an oath?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Keeper</li>
  <li>No, never such an oath; nor will not now.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Where did you dwell when I was King of England?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Keeper</li>
  <li class="number">Here in this country, where we now remain.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>I was anointed king at nine months old;</li>
  <li>My father and my grandfather were kings,</li>
  <li>And you were sworn true subjects unto me:</li>
  <li>And tell me, then, have you not broke your oaths?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Keeper</li>
  <li class="number">No;</li>
  <li>For we were subjects but while you were king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Why, am I dead? do I not breathe a man?</li>
  <li>Ah, simple men, you know not what you swear!</li>
  <li>Look, as I blow this feather from my face,</li>
  <li class="number">And as the air blows it to me again,</li>
  <li>Obeying with my wind when I do blow,</li>
  <li>And yielding to another when it blows,</li>
  <li>Commanded always by the greater gust;</li>
  <li>Such is the lightness of you common men.</li>
  <li class="number">But do not break your oaths; for of that sin</li>
  <li>My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty.</li>
  <li>Go where you will, the king shall be commanded;</li>
  <li>And be you kings, command, and I'll obey.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Keeper</li>
  <li>We are true subjects to the king, King Edward.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">So would you be again to Henry,</li>
  <li>If he were seated as King Edward is.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Keeper</li>
  <li>We charge you, in God's name, and the king's,</li>
  <li>To go with us unto the officers.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>In God's name, lead; your king's name be obey'd:</li>
  <li class="number">And what God will, that let your king perform;</li>
  <li>And what he will, I humbly yield unto.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE II.  London. The palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter KING EDWARD IV, GLOUCESTER, CLARENCE, and
LADY GREY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Brother of Gloucester, at Saint Alban's field</li>
  <li>This lady's husband, Sir Richard Grey, was slain,</li>
  <li>His lands then seized on by the conqueror:</li>
  <li>Her suit is now to repossess those lands;</li>
  <li class="number">Which we in justice cannot well deny,</li>
  <li>Because in quarrel of the house of York</li>
  <li>The worthy gentleman did lose his life.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Your highness shall do well to grant her suit;</li>
  <li>It were dishonour to deny it her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">It were no less; but yet I'll make a pause.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Aside to CLARENCE  Yea, is it so?</li>
  <li>I see the lady hath a thing to grant,</li>
  <li>Before the king will grant her humble suit.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Aside to GLOUCESTER  He knows the game: how true</li>
  <li class="number">he keeps the wind!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Aside to CLARENCE  Silence!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Widow, we will consider of your suit;</li>
  <li>And come some other time to know our mind.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>Right gracious lord, I cannot brook delay:</li>
  <li class="number">May it please your highness to resolve me now;</li>
  <li>And what your pleasure is, shall satisfy me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Aside to CLARENCE  Ay, widow? then I'll warrant</li>
  <li>you all your lands,</li>
  <li>An if what pleases him shall pleasure you.</li>
  <li class="number">Fight closer, or, good faith, you'll catch a blow.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Aside to GLOUCESTER  I fear her not, unless she</li>
  <li>chance to fall.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Aside to CLARENCE God forbid that! for he'll</li>
  <li>take vantages.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">How many children hast thou, widow? tell me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Aside to GLOUCESTER  I think he means to beg a</li>
  <li>child of her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Aside to CLARENCE  Nay, whip me then: he'll rather</li>
  <li>give her two.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li class="number">Three, my most gracious lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Aside to CLARENCE  You shall have four, if you'll</li>
  <li>be ruled by him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>'Twere pity they should lose their father's lands.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">Lords, give us leave: I'll try this widow's wit.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Aside to CLARENCE  Ay, good leave have you; for</li>
  <li>you will have leave,</li>
  <li>Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">GLOUCESTER and CLARENCE retire</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Now tell me, madam, do you love your children?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, full as dearly as I love myself.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>And would you not do much to do them good?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>To do them good, I would sustain some harm.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Then get your husband's lands, to do them good.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>Therefore I came unto your majesty.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">I'll tell you how these lands are to be got.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>So shall you bind me to your highness' service.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>What service wilt thou do me, if I give them?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>What you command, that rests in me to do.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>But you will take exceptions to my boon.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li class="number">No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>Why, then I will do what your grace commands.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Aside to CLARENCE  He plies her hard; and much rain</li>
  <li>wears the marble.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li class="number">Aside to GLOUCESTER  As red as fire! nay, then</li>
  <li>her wax must melt.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>Why stops my lord, shall I not hear my task?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>An easy task; 'tis but to love a king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>That's soon perform'd, because I am a subject.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">Why, then, thy husband's lands I freely give thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>I take my leave with many thousand thanks.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Aside to CLARENCE  The match is made; she seals it</li>
  <li>with a curtsy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>But stay thee, 'tis the fruits of love I mean.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li class="number">The fruits of love I mean, my loving liege.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Ay, but, I fear me, in another sense.</li>
  <li>What love, think'st thou, I sue so much to get?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>My love till death, my humble thanks, my prayers;</li>
  <li>That love which virtue begs and virtue grants.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">No, by my troth, I did not mean such love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>Why, then you mean not as I thought you did.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>But now you partly may perceive my mind.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>My mind will never grant what I perceive</li>
  <li>Your highness aims at, if I aim aright.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">To tell thee plain, I aim to lie with thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>To tell you plain, I had rather lie in prison.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Why, then thou shalt not have thy husband's lands.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>Why, then mine honesty shall be my dower;</li>
  <li>For by that loss I will not purchase them.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">Therein thou wrong'st thy children mightily.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>Herein your highness wrongs both them and me.</li>
  <li>But, mighty lord, this merry inclination</li>
  <li>Accords not with the sadness of my suit:</li>
  <li>Please you dismiss me either with 'ay' or 'no.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, if thou wilt say 'ay' to my request;</li>
  <li>No if thou dost say 'no' to my demand.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>Then, no, my lord. My suit is at an end.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Aside to CLARENCE  The widow likes him not, she</li>
  <li>knits her brows.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li class="number">Aside to GLOUCESTER  He is the bluntest wooer in</li>
  <li>Christendom.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Aside  Her looks do argue her replete with modesty;</li>
  <li>Her words do show her wit incomparable;</li>
  <li>All her perfections challenge sovereignty:</li>
  <li class="number">One way or other, she is for a king;</li>
  <li>And she shall be my love, or else my queen. — </li>
  <li>Say that King Edward take thee for his queen?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>'Tis better said than done, my gracious lord:</li>
  <li>I am a subject fit to jest withal,</li>
  <li class="number">But far unfit to be a sovereign.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Sweet widow, by my state I swear to thee</li>
  <li>I speak no more than what my soul intends;</li>
  <li>And that is, to enjoy thee for my love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>And that is more than I will yield unto:</li>
  <li class="number">I know I am too mean to be your queen,</li>
  <li>And yet too good to be your concubine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>You cavil, widow: I did mean, my queen.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY GREY</li>
  <li>'Twill grieve your grace my sons should call you father.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>No more than when my daughters call thee mother.</li>
  <li class="number">Thou art a widow, and thou hast some children;</li>
  <li>And, by God's mother, I, being but a bachelor,</li>
  <li>Have other some: why, 'tis a happy thing</li>
  <li>To be the father unto many sons.</li>
  <li>Answer no more, for thou shalt be my queen.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Aside to CLARENCE  The ghostly father now hath done</li>
  <li>his shrift.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Aside to GLOUCESTER  When he was made a shriver,</li>
  <li>'twas for shift.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Brothers, you muse what chat we two have had.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">The widow likes it not, for she looks very sad.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>You'll think it strange if I should marry her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>To whom, my lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Why, Clarence, to myself.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>That would be ten days' wonder at the least.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li class="number">That's a day longer than a wonder lasts.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>By so much is the wonder in extremes.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Well, jest on, brothers: I can tell you both</li>
  <li>Her suit is granted for her husband's lands.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter a Nobleman</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Nobleman</li>
  <li>My gracious lord, Henry your foe is taken,</li>
  <li class="number">And brought your prisoner to your palace gate.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>See that he be convey'd unto the Tower:</li>
  <li>And go we, brothers, to the man that took him,</li>
  <li>To question of his apprehension.</li>
  <li>Widow, go you along. Lords, use her honourably.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, Edward will use women honourably.</li>
  <li>Would he were wasted, marrow, bones and all,</li>
  <li>That from his loins no hopeful branch may spring,</li>
  <li>To cross me from the golden time I look for!</li>
  <li>And yet, between my soul's desire and me — </li>
  <li class="number">The lustful Edward's title buried — </li>
  <li>Is Clarence, Henry, and his son young Edward,</li>
  <li>And all the unlook'd for issue of their bodies,</li>
  <li>To take their rooms, ere I can place myself:</li>
  <li>A cold premeditation for my purpose!</li>
  <li class="number">Why, then, I do but dream on sovereignty;</li>
  <li>Like one that stands upon a promontory,</li>
  <li>And spies a far-off shore where he would tread,</li>
  <li>Wishing his foot were equal with his eye,</li>
  <li>And chides the sea that sunders him from thence,</li>
  <li class="number">Saying, he'll lade it dry to have his way:</li>
  <li>So do I wish the crown, being so far off;</li>
  <li>And so I chide the means that keeps me from it;</li>
  <li>And so I say, I'll cut the causes off,</li>
  <li>Flattering me with impossibilities.</li>
  <li class="number">My eye's too quick, my heart o'erweens too much,</li>
  <li>Unless my hand and strength could equal them.</li>
  <li>Well, say there is no kingdom then for Richard;</li>
  <li>What other pleasure can the world afford?</li>
  <li>I'll make my heaven in a lady's lap,</li>
  <li class="number">And deck my body in gay ornaments,</li>
  <li>And witch sweet ladies with my words and looks.</li>
  <li>O miserable thought! and more unlikely</li>
  <li>Than to accomplish twenty golden crowns!</li>
  <li>Why, love forswore me in my mother's womb:</li>
  <li class="number">And, for I should not deal in her soft laws,</li>
  <li>She did corrupt frail nature with some bribe,</li>
  <li>To shrink mine arm up like a wither'd shrub;</li>
  <li>To make an envious mountain on my back,</li>
  <li>Where sits deformity to mock my body;</li>
  <li class="number">To shape my legs of an unequal size;</li>
  <li>To disproportion me in every part,</li>
  <li>Like to a chaos, or an unlick'd bear-whelp</li>
  <li>That carries no impression like the dam.</li>
  <li>And am I then a man to be beloved?</li>
  <li class="number">O monstrous fault, to harbour such a thought!</li>
  <li>Then, since this earth affords no joy to me,</li>
  <li>But to command, to cheque, to o'erbear such</li>
  <li>As are of better person than myself,</li>
  <li>I'll make my heaven to dream upon the crown,</li>
  <li class="number">And, whiles I live, to account this world but hell,</li>
  <li>Until my mis-shaped trunk that bears this head</li>
  <li>Be round impaled with a glorious crown.</li>
  <li>And yet I know not how to get the crown,</li>
  <li>For many lives stand between me and home:</li>
  <li class="number">And I —  like one lost in a thorny wood,</li>
  <li>That rends the thorns and is rent with the thorns,</li>
  <li>Seeking a way and straying from the way;</li>
  <li>Not knowing how to find the open air,</li>
  <li>But toiling desperately to find it out —  </li>
  <li class="number">Torment myself to catch the English crown:</li>
  <li>And from that torment I will free myself,</li>
  <li>Or hew my way out with a bloody axe.</li>
  <li>Why, I can smile, and murder whiles I smile,</li>
  <li>And cry 'Content' to that which grieves my heart,</li>
  <li class="number">And wet my cheeks with artificial tears,</li>
  <li>And frame my face to all occasions.</li>
  <li>I'll drown more sailors than the mermaid shall;</li>
  <li>I'll slay more gazers than the basilisk;</li>
  <li>I'll play the orator as well as Nestor,</li>
  <li class="number">Deceive more slily than Ulysses could,</li>
  <li>And, like a Sinon, take another Troy.</li>
  <li>I can add colours to the chameleon,</li>
  <li>Change shapes with Proteus for advantages,</li>
  <li>And set the murderous Machiavel to school.</li>
  <li class="number">Can I do this, and cannot get a crown?</li>
  <li>Tut, were it farther off, I'll pluck it down.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE III.  France. KING LEWIS XI's palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Flourish. Enter KING LEWIS XI, his sister BONA,
his Admiral, called BOURBON, PRINCE EDWARD, QUEEN
MARGARET, and OXFORD. KING LEWIS XI sits, and
riseth up again</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>Fair Queen of England, worthy Margaret,</li>
  <li>Sit down with us: it ill befits thy state</li>
  <li>And birth, that thou shouldst stand while Lewis doth sit.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>No, mighty King of France: now Margaret</li>
  <li class="number">Must strike her sail and learn awhile to serve</li>
  <li>Where kings command. I was, I must confess,</li>
  <li>Great Albion's queen in former golden days:</li>
  <li>But now mischance hath trod my title down,</li>
  <li>And with dishonour laid me on the ground;</li>
  <li class="number">Where I must take like seat unto my fortune,</li>
  <li>And to my humble seat conform myself.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>Why, say, fair queen, whence springs this deep despair?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>From such a cause as fills mine eyes with tears</li>
  <li>And stops my tongue, while heart is drown'd in cares.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li class="number">Whate'er it be, be thou still like thyself,</li>
  <li>And sit thee by our side:</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Seats her by him</li>
  <li>Yield not thy neck</li>
  <li>To fortune's yoke, but let thy dauntless mind</li>
  <li>Still ride in triumph over all mischance.</li>
  <li class="number">Be plain, Queen Margaret, and tell thy grief;</li>
  <li>It shall be eased, if France can yield relief.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Those gracious words revive my drooping thoughts</li>
  <li>And give my tongue-tied sorrows leave to speak.</li>
  <li>Now, therefore, be it known to noble Lewis,</li>
  <li class="number">That Henry, sole possessor of my love,</li>
  <li>Is of a king become a banish'd man,</li>
  <li>And forced to live in Scotland a forlorn;</li>
  <li>While proud ambitious Edward Duke of York</li>
  <li>Usurps the regal title and the seat</li>
  <li class="number">Of England's true-anointed lawful king.</li>
  <li>This is the cause that I, poor Margaret,</li>
  <li>With this my son, Prince Edward, Henry's heir,</li>
  <li>Am come to crave thy just and lawful aid;</li>
  <li>And if thou fail us, all our hope is done:</li>
  <li class="number">Scotland hath will to help, but cannot help;</li>
  <li>Our people and our peers are both misled,</li>
  <li>Our treasures seized, our soldiers put to flight,</li>
  <li>And, as thou seest, ourselves in heavy plight.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>Renowned queen, with patience calm the storm,</li>
  <li class="number">While we bethink a means to break it off.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>The more we stay, the stronger grows our foe.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>The more I stay, the more I'll succor thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>O, but impatience waiteth on true sorrow.</li>
  <li>And see where comes the breeder of my sorrow!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter WARWICK</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li class="number">What's he approacheth boldly to our presence?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Our Earl of Warwick, Edward's greatest friend.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>Welcome, brave Warwick! What brings thee to France?</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">He descends. She ariseth</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Ay, now begins a second storm to rise;</li>
  <li>For this is he that moves both wind and tide.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">From worthy Edward, King of Albion,</li>
  <li>My lord and sovereign, and thy vowed friend,</li>
  <li>I come, in kindness and unfeigned love,</li>
  <li>First, to do greetings to thy royal person;</li>
  <li>And then to crave a league of amity;</li>
  <li class="number">And lastly, to confirm that amity</li>
  <li>With a nuptial knot, if thou vouchsafe to grant</li>
  <li>That virtuous Lady Bona, thy fair sister,</li>
  <li>To England's king in lawful marriage.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Aside  If that go forward, Henry's hope is done.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">To BONA  And, gracious madam, in our king's behalf,</li>
  <li>I am commanded, with your leave and favour,</li>
  <li>Humbly to kiss your hand, and with my tongue</li>
  <li>To tell the passion of my sovereign's heart;</li>
  <li>Where fame, late entering at his heedful ears,</li>
  <li class="number">Hath placed thy beauty's image and thy virtue.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>King Lewis and Lady Bona, hear me speak,</li>
  <li>Before you answer Warwick. His demand</li>
  <li>Springs not from Edward's well-meant honest love,</li>
  <li>But from deceit bred by necessity;</li>
  <li class="number">For how can tyrants safely govern home,</li>
  <li>Unless abroad they purchase great alliance?</li>
  <li>To prove him tyrant this reason may suffice,</li>
  <li>That Henry liveth still: but were he dead,</li>
  <li>Yet here Prince Edward stands, King Henry's son.</li>
  <li class="number">Look, therefore, Lewis, that by this league and marriage</li>
  <li>Thou draw not on thy danger and dishonour;</li>
  <li>For though usurpers sway the rule awhile,</li>
  <li>Yet heavens are just, and time suppresseth wrongs.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Injurious Margaret!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li class="number">And why not queen?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Because thy father Henry did usurp;</li>
  <li>And thou no more are prince than she is queen.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">OXFORD</li>
  <li>Then Warwick disannuls great John of Gaunt,</li>
  <li>Which did subdue the greatest part of Spain;</li>
  <li class="number">And, after John of Gaunt, Henry the Fourth,</li>
  <li>Whose wisdom was a mirror to the wisest;</li>
  <li>And, after that wise prince, Henry the Fifth,</li>
  <li>Who by his prowess conquered all France:</li>
  <li>From these our Henry lineally descends.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">Oxford, how haps it, in this smooth discourse,</li>
  <li>You told not how Henry the Sixth hath lost</li>
  <li>All that which Henry Fifth had gotten?</li>
  <li>Methinks these peers of France should smile at that.</li>
  <li>But for the rest, you tell a pedigree</li>
  <li class="number">Of threescore and two years; a silly time</li>
  <li>To make prescription for a kingdom's worth.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">OXFORD</li>
  <li>Why, Warwick, canst thou speak against thy liege,</li>
  <li>Whom thou obeyed'st thirty and six years,</li>
  <li>And not bewray thy treason with a blush?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">Can Oxford, that did ever fence the right,</li>
  <li>Now buckler falsehood with a pedigree?</li>
  <li>For shame! leave Henry, and call Edward king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">OXFORD</li>
  <li>Call him my king by whose injurious doom</li>
  <li>My elder brother, the Lord Aubrey Vere,</li>
  <li class="number">Was done to death? and more than so, my father,</li>
  <li>Even in the downfall of his mellow'd years,</li>
  <li>When nature brought him to the door of death?</li>
  <li>No, Warwick, no; while life upholds this arm,</li>
  <li>This arm upholds the house of Lancaster.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">And I the house of York.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>Queen Margaret, Prince Edward, and Oxford,</li>
  <li>Vouchsafe, at our request, to stand aside,</li>
  <li>While I use further conference with Warwick.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">They stand aloof</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Heavens grant that Warwick's words bewitch him not!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li class="number">Now Warwick, tell me, even upon thy conscience,</li>
  <li>Is Edward your true king? for I were loath</li>
  <li>To link with him that were not lawful chosen.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Thereon I pawn my credit and mine honour.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>But is he gracious in the people's eye?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">The more that Henry was unfortunate.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>Then further, all dissembling set aside,</li>
  <li>Tell me for truth the measure of his love</li>
  <li>Unto our sister Bona.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Such it seems</li>
  <li class="number">As may beseem a monarch like himself.</li>
  <li>Myself have often heard him say and swear</li>
  <li>That this his love was an eternal plant,</li>
  <li>Whereof the root was fix'd in virtue's ground,</li>
  <li>The leaves and fruit maintain'd with beauty's sun,</li>
  <li class="number">Exempt from envy, but not from disdain,</li>
  <li>Unless the Lady Bona quit his pain.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>Now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BONA</li>
  <li>Your grant, or your denial, shall be mine:</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To WARWICK</li>
  <li>Yet I confess that often ere this day,</li>
  <li class="number">When I have heard your king's desert recounted,</li>
  <li>Mine ear hath tempted judgment to desire.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>Then, Warwick, thus: our sister shall be Edward's;</li>
  <li>And now forthwith shall articles be drawn</li>
  <li>Touching the jointure that your king must make,</li>
  <li class="number">Which with her dowry shall be counterpoised.</li>
  <li>Draw near, Queen Margaret, and be a witness</li>
  <li>That Bona shall be wife to the English king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>To Edward, but not to the English king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Deceitful Warwick! it was thy device</li>
  <li class="number">By this alliance to make void my suit:</li>
  <li>Before thy coming Lewis was Henry's friend.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>And still is friend to him and Margaret:</li>
  <li>But if your title to the crown be weak,</li>
  <li>As may appear by Edward's good success,</li>
  <li class="number">Then 'tis but reason that I be released</li>
  <li>From giving aid which late I promised.</li>
  <li>Yet shall you have all kindness at my hand</li>
  <li>That your estate requires and mine can yield.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Henry now lives in Scotland at his ease,</li>
  <li class="number">Where having nothing, nothing can he lose.</li>
  <li>And as for you yourself, our quondam queen,</li>
  <li>You have a father able to maintain you;</li>
  <li>And better 'twere you troubled him than France.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Peace, impudent and shameless Warwick, peace,</li>
  <li class="number">Proud setter up and puller down of kings!</li>
  <li>I will not hence, till, with my talk and tears,</li>
  <li>Both full of truth, I make King Lewis behold</li>
  <li>Thy sly conveyance and thy lord's false love;</li>
  <li>For both of you are birds of selfsame feather.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Post blows a horn within</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li class="number">Warwick, this is some post to us or thee.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter a Post</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Post</li>
  <li>To WARWICK  My lord ambassador, these letters are for you,</li>
  <li>Sent from your brother, Marquess Montague:</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>These from our king unto your majesty:</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>And, madam, these for you; from whom I know not.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">They all read their letters</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">OXFORD</li>
  <li class="number">I like it well that our fair queen and mistress</li>
  <li>Smiles at her news, while Warwick frowns at his.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>Nay, mark how Lewis stamps, as he were nettled:</li>
  <li>I hope all's for the best.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>Warwick, what are thy news? and yours, fair queen?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">Mine, such as fill my heart with unhoped joys.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Mine, full of sorrow and heart's discontent.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>What! has your king married the Lady Grey!</li>
  <li>And now, to soothe your forgery and his,</li>
  <li>Sends me a paper to persuade me patience?</li>
  <li class="number">Is this the alliance that he seeks with France?</li>
  <li>Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>I told your majesty as much before:</li>
  <li>This proveth Edward's love and Warwick's honesty.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>King Lewis, I here protest, in sight of heaven,</li>
  <li class="number">And by the hope I have of heavenly bliss,</li>
  <li>That I am clear from this misdeed of Edward's,</li>
  <li>No more my king, for he dishonours me,</li>
  <li>But most himself, if he could see his shame.</li>
  <li>Did I forget that by the house of York</li>
  <li class="number">My father came untimely to his death?</li>
  <li>Did I let pass the abuse done to my niece?</li>
  <li>Did I impale him with the regal crown?</li>
  <li>Did I put Henry from his native right?</li>
  <li>And am I guerdon'd at the last with shame?</li>
  <li class="number">Shame on himself! for my desert is honour:</li>
  <li>And to repair my honour lost for him,</li>
  <li>I here renounce him and return to Henry.</li>
  <li>My noble queen, let former grudges pass,</li>
  <li>And henceforth I am thy true servitor:</li>
  <li class="number">I will revenge his wrong to Lady Bona,</li>
  <li>And replant Henry in his former state.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Warwick, these words have turn'd my hate to love;</li>
  <li>And I forgive and quite forget old faults,</li>
  <li>And joy that thou becomest King Henry's friend.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">So much his friend, ay, his unfeigned friend,</li>
  <li>That, if King Lewis vouchsafe to furnish us</li>
  <li>With some few bands of chosen soldiers,</li>
  <li>I'll undertake to land them on our coast</li>
  <li>And force the tyrant from his seat by war.</li>
  <li class="number">'Tis not his new-made bride shall succor him:</li>
  <li>And as for Clarence, as my letters tell me,</li>
  <li>He's very likely now to fall from him,</li>
  <li>For matching more for wanton lust than honour,</li>
  <li>Or than for strength and safety of our country.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BONA</li>
  <li class="number">Dear brother, how shall Bona be revenged</li>
  <li>But by thy help to this distressed queen?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Renowned prince, how shall poor Henry live,</li>
  <li>Unless thou rescue him from foul despair?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BONA</li>
  <li>My quarrel and this English queen's are one.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">And mine, fair lady Bona, joins with yours.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>And mine with hers, and thine, and Margaret's.</li>
  <li>Therefore at last I firmly am resolved</li>
  <li>You shall have aid.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Let me give humble thanks for all at once.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li class="number">Then, England's messenger, return in post,</li>
  <li>And tell false Edward, thy supposed king,</li>
  <li>That Lewis of France is sending over masquers</li>
  <li>To revel it with him and his new bride:</li>
  <li>Thou seest what's past, go fear thy king withal.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BONA</li>
  <li class="number">Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly,</li>
  <li>I'll wear the willow garland for his sake.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Tell him, my mourning weeds are laid aside,</li>
  <li>And I am ready to put armour on.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong,</li>
  <li class="number">And therefore I'll uncrown him ere't be long.</li>
  <li>There's thy reward: be gone.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit Post</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li>But, Warwick,</li>
  <li>Thou and Oxford, with five thousand men,</li>
  <li>Shall cross the seas, and bid false Edward battle;</li>
  <li class="number">And, as occasion serves, this noble queen</li>
  <li>And prince shall follow with a fresh supply.</li>
  <li>Yet, ere thou go, but answer me one doubt,</li>
  <li>What pledge have we of thy firm loyalty?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>This shall assure my constant loyalty,</li>
  <li class="number">That if our queen and this young prince agree,</li>
  <li>I'll join mine eldest daughter and my joy</li>
  <li>To him forthwith in holy wedlock bands.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion.</li>
  <li>Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous,</li>
  <li class="number">Therefore delay not, give thy hand to Warwick;</li>
  <li>And, with thy hand, thy faith irrevocable,</li>
  <li>That only Warwick's daughter shall be thine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>Yes, I accept her, for she well deserves it;</li>
  <li>And here, to pledge my vow, I give my hand.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">He gives his hand to WARWICK</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING LEWIS XI</li>
  <li class="number">Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied,</li>
  <li>And thou, Lord Bourbon, our high admiral,</li>
  <li>Shalt waft them over with our royal fleet.</li>
  <li>I long till Edward fall by war's mischance,</li>
  <li>For mocking marriage with a dame of France.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt all but WARWICK</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">I came from Edward as ambassador,</li>
  <li>But I return his sworn and mortal foe:</li>
  <li>Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me,</li>
  <li>But dreadful war shall answer his demand.</li>
  <li>Had he none else to make a stale but me?</li>
  <li class="number">Then none but I shall turn his jest to sorrow.</li>
  <li>I was the chief that raised him to the crown,</li>
  <li>And I'll be chief to bring him down again:</li>
  <li>Not that I pity Henry's misery,</li>
  <li>But seek revenge on Edward's mockery.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit</li>
  <li class="number">3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

</section>

<section class="act">

<h2>ACT IV</h2>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE I.  London. The palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter GLOUCESTER, CLARENCE, SOMERSET, and MONTAGUE</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you</li>
  <li>Of this new marriage with the Lady Grey?</li>
  <li>Hath not our brother made a worthy choice?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Alas, you know, 'tis far from hence to France;</li>
  <li class="number">How could he stay till Warwick made return?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SOMERSET</li>
  <li>My lords, forbear this talk; here comes the king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>And his well-chosen bride.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>I mind to tell him plainly what I think.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD IV, attended; QUEEN
ELIZABETH, PEMBROKE, STAFFORD, HASTINGS, and others</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice,</li>
  <li class="number">That you stand pensive, as half malcontent?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>As well as Lewis of France, or the Earl of Warwick,</li>
  <li>Which are so weak of courage and in judgment</li>
  <li>That they'll take no offence at our abuse.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Suppose they take offence without a cause,</li>
  <li class="number">They are but Lewis and Warwick: I am Edward,</li>
  <li>Your king and Warwick's, and must have my will.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>And shall have your will, because our king:</li>
  <li>Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Not I:</li>
  <li>No, God forbid that I should wish them sever'd</li>
  <li>Whom God hath join'd together; ay, and 'twere pity</li>
  <li>To sunder them that yoke so well together.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Setting your scorns and your mislike aside,</li>
  <li class="number">Tell me some reason why the Lady Grey</li>
  <li>Should not become my wife and England's queen.</li>
  <li>And you too, Somerset and Montague,</li>
  <li>Speak freely what you think.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Then this is mine opinion: that King Lewis</li>
  <li class="number">Becomes your enemy, for mocking him</li>
  <li>About the marriage of the Lady Bona.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge,</li>
  <li>Is now dishonoured by this new marriage.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeased</li>
  <li class="number">By such invention as I can devise?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">MONTAGUE</li>
  <li>Yet, to have join'd with France in such alliance</li>
  <li>Would more have strengthen'd this our commonwealth</li>
  <li>'Gainst foreign storms than any home-bred marriage.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Why, knows not Montague that of itself</li>
  <li class="number">England is safe, if true within itself?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">MONTAGUE</li>
  <li>But the safer when 'tis back'd with France.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>'Tis better using France than trusting France:</li>
  <li>Let us be back'd with God and with the seas</li>
  <li>Which He hath given for fence impregnable,</li>
  <li class="number">And with their helps only defend ourselves;</li>
  <li>In them and in ourselves our safety lies.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>For this one speech Lord Hastings well deserves</li>
  <li>To have the heir of the Lord Hungerford.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Ay, what of that? it was my will and grant;</li>
  <li class="number">And for this once my will shall stand for law.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>And yet methinks your grace hath not done well,</li>
  <li>To give the heir and daughter of Lord Scales</li>
  <li>Unto the brother of your loving bride;</li>
  <li>She better would have fitted me or Clarence:</li>
  <li class="number">But in your bride you bury brotherhood.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Or else you would not have bestow'd the heir</li>
  <li>Of the Lord Bonville on your new wife's son,</li>
  <li>And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife</li>
  <li class="number">That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>In choosing for yourself, you show'd your judgment,</li>
  <li>Which being shallow, you give me leave</li>
  <li>To play the broker in mine own behalf;</li>
  <li>And to that end I shortly mind to leave you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be king,</li>
  <li>And not be tied unto his brother's will.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>My lords, before it pleased his majesty</li>
  <li>To raise my state to title of a queen,</li>
  <li>Do me but right, and you must all confess</li>
  <li class="number">That I was not ignoble of descent;</li>
  <li>And meaner than myself have had like fortune.</li>
  <li>But as this title honours me and mine,</li>
  <li>So your dislike, to whom I would be pleasing,</li>
  <li>Doth cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns:</li>
  <li>What danger or what sorrow can befall thee,</li>
  <li>So long as Edward is thy constant friend,</li>
  <li>And their true sovereign, whom they must obey?</li>
  <li>Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,</li>
  <li class="number">Unless they seek for hatred at my hands;</li>
  <li>Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe,</li>
  <li>And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Aside  I hear, yet say not much, but think the more.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter a Post</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Now, messenger, what letters or what news</li>
  <li class="number">From France?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Post</li>
  <li>My sovereign liege, no letters; and few words,</li>
  <li>But such as I, without your special pardon,</li>
  <li>Dare not relate.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Go to, we pardon thee: therefore, in brief,</li>
  <li class="number">Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them.</li>
  <li>What answer makes King Lewis unto our letters?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Post</li>
  <li>At my depart, these were his very words:</li>
  <li>'Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king,</li>
  <li>That Lewis of France is sending over masquers</li>
  <li class="number">To revel it with him and his new bride.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Is Lewis so brave? belike he thinks me Henry.</li>
  <li>But what said Lady Bona to my marriage?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Post</li>
  <li>These were her words, utter'd with mad disdain:</li>
  <li>'Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly,</li>
  <li class="number">I'll wear the willow garland for his sake.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>I blame not her, she could say little less;</li>
  <li>She had the wrong. But what said Henry's queen?</li>
  <li>For I have heard that she was there in place.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Post</li>
  <li>'Tell him,' quoth she, 'my mourning weeds are done,</li>
  <li class="number">And I am ready to put armour on.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Belike she minds to play the Amazon.</li>
  <li>But what said Warwick to these injuries?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Post</li>
  <li>He, more incensed against your majesty</li>
  <li>Than all the rest, discharged me with these words:</li>
  <li class="number">'Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong,</li>
  <li>And therefore I'll uncrown him ere't be long.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words?</li>
  <li>Well I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd:</li>
  <li>They shall have wars and pay for their presumption.</li>
  <li class="number">But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Post</li>
  <li>Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link'd in</li>
  <li>friendship</li>
  <li>That young Prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Belike the elder; Clarence will have the younger.</li>
  <li class="number">Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast,</li>
  <li>For I will hence to Warwick's other daughter;</li>
  <li>That, though I want a kingdom, yet in marriage</li>
  <li>I may not prove inferior to yourself.</li>
  <li>You that love me and Warwick, follow me.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit CLARENCE, and SOMERSET follows</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Aside  Not I:</li>
  <li>My thoughts aim at a further matter; I</li>
  <li>Stay not for the love of Edward, but the crown.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick!</li>
  <li>Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen;</li>
  <li class="number">And haste is needful in this desperate case.</li>
  <li>Pembroke and Stafford, you in our behalf</li>
  <li>Go levy men, and make prepare for war;</li>
  <li>They are already, or quickly will be landed:</li>
  <li>Myself in person will straight follow you.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt PEMBROKE and STAFFORD</li>
  <li class="number">But, ere I go, Hastings and Montague,</li>
  <li>Resolve my doubt. You twain, of all the rest,</li>
  <li>Are near to Warwick by blood and by alliance:</li>
  <li>Tell me if you love Warwick more than me?</li>
  <li>If it be so, then both depart to him;</li>
  <li class="number">I rather wish you foes than hollow friends:</li>
  <li>But if you mind to hold your true obedience,</li>
  <li>Give me assurance with some friendly vow,</li>
  <li>That I may never have you in suspect.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">MONTAGUE</li>
  <li>So God help Montague as he proves true!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li class="number">And Hastings as he favours Edward's cause!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Why, so! then am I sure of victory.</li>
  <li>Now therefore let us hence; and lose no hour,</li>
  <li class="number">Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE II.  A plain in Warwickshire.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter WARWICK and OXFORD, with French soldiers</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well;</li>
  <li>The common people by numbers swarm to us.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter CLARENCE and SOMERSET</li>
  <li>But see where Somerset and Clarence come!</li>
  <li>Speak suddenly, my lords, are we all friends?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li class="number">Fear not that, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwick;</li>
  <li>And welcome, Somerset: I hold it cowardice</li>
  <li>To rest mistrustful where a noble heart</li>
  <li>Hath pawn'd an open hand in sign of love;</li>
  <li class="number">Else might I think that Clarence, Edward's brother,</li>
  <li>Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings:</li>
  <li>But welcome, sweet Clarence; my daughter shall be thine.</li>
  <li>And now what rests but, in night's coverture,</li>
  <li>Thy brother being carelessly encamp'd,</li>
  <li class="number">His soldiers lurking in the towns about,</li>
  <li>And but attended by a simple guard,</li>
  <li>We may surprise and take him at our pleasure?</li>
  <li>Our scouts have found the adventure very easy:</li>
  <li>That as Ulysses and stout Diomede</li>
  <li class="number">With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus' tents,</li>
  <li>And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds,</li>
  <li>So we, well cover'd with the night's black mantle,</li>
  <li>At unawares may beat down Edward's guard</li>
  <li>And seize himself; I say not, slaughter him,</li>
  <li class="number">For I intend but only to surprise him.</li>
  <li>You that will follow me to this attempt,</li>
  <li>Applaud the name of Henry with your leader.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">They all cry, 'Henry!'</li>
  <li>Why, then, let's on our way in silent sort:</li>
  <li>For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint George!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li class="number">3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE III.  Edward's camp, near Warwick.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter three Watchmen, to guard KING EDWARD IV's tent</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Watchman</li>
  <li>Come on, my masters, each man take his stand:</li>
  <li>The king by this is set him down to sleep.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Watchman</li>
  <li>What, will he not to bed?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Watchman</li>
  <li>Why, no; for he hath made a solemn vow</li>
  <li class="number">Never to lie and take his natural rest</li>
  <li>Till Warwick or himself be quite suppress'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Watchman</li>
  <li>To-morrow then belike shall be the day,</li>
  <li>If Warwick be so near as men report.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Watchman</li>
  <li>But say, I pray, what nobleman is that</li>
  <li class="number">That with the king here resteth in his tent?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Watchman</li>
  <li>'Tis the Lord Hastings, the king's chiefest friend.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Watchman</li>
  <li>O, is it so? But why commands the king</li>
  <li>That his chief followers lodge in towns about him,</li>
  <li>While he himself keeps in the cold field?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Watchman</li>
  <li class="number">'Tis the more honour, because more dangerous.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Watchman</li>
  <li>Ay, but give me worship and quietness;</li>
  <li>I like it better than a dangerous honour.</li>
  <li>If Warwick knew in what estate he stands,</li>
  <li>'Tis to be doubted he would waken him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Watchman</li>
  <li class="number">Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Watchman</li>
  <li>Ay, wherefore else guard we his royal tent,</li>
  <li>But to defend his person from night-foes?</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter WARWICK, CLARENCE, OXFORD, SOMERSET, and
French soldiers, silent all</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>This is his tent; and see where stand his guard.</li>
  <li>Courage, my masters! honour now or never!</li>
  <li class="number">But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Watchman</li>
  <li>Who goes there?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Watchman</li>
  <li>Stay, or thou diest!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">WARWICK and the rest cry all, 'Warwick! Warwick!'
and set upon the Guard, who fly, crying, 'Arm!
arm!' WARWICK and the rest following them</div>

<div class="stage-direction">The drum playing and trumpet sounding, reenter
WARWICK, SOMERSET, and the rest, bringing KING
EDWARD IV out in his gown, sitting in a chair.
RICHARD and HASTINGS fly over the stage</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SOMERSET</li>
  <li>What are they that fly there?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Richard and Hastings: let them go; here is The duke.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">The duke! Why, Warwick, when we parted,</li>
  <li>Thou call'dst me king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Ay, but the case is alter'd:</li>
  <li>When you disgraced me in my embassade,</li>
  <li>Then I degraded you from being king,</li>
  <li class="number">And come now to create you Duke of York.</li>
  <li>Alas! how should you govern any kingdom,</li>
  <li>That know not how to use ambassadors,</li>
  <li>Nor how to be contented with one wife,</li>
  <li>Nor how to use your brothers brotherly,</li>
  <li class="number">Nor how to study for the people's welfare,</li>
  <li>Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Yea, brother of Clarence, are thou here too?</li>
  <li>Nay, then I see that Edward needs must down.</li>
  <li>Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance,</li>
  <li class="number">Of thee thyself and all thy complices,</li>
  <li>Edward will always bear himself as king:</li>
  <li>Though fortune's malice overthrow my state,</li>
  <li>My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Then, for his mind, be Edward England's king:</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Takes off his crown</li>
  <li class="number">But Henry now shall wear the English crown,</li>
  <li>And be true king indeed, thou but the shadow.</li>
  <li>My Lord of Somerset, at my request,</li>
  <li>See that forthwith Duke Edward be convey'd</li>
  <li>Unto my brother, Archbishop of York.</li>
  <li class="number">When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows,</li>
  <li>I'll follow you, and tell what answer</li>
  <li>Lewis and the Lady Bona send to him.</li>
  <li>Now, for a while farewell, good Duke of York.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">They lead him out forcibly</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>What fates impose, that men must needs abide;</li>
  <li class="number">It boots not to resist both wind and tide.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit, guarded</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">OXFORD</li>
  <li>What now remains, my lords, for us to do</li>
  <li>But march to London with our soldiers?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Ay, that's the first thing that we have to do;</li>
  <li>To free King Henry from imprisonment</li>
  <li class="number">And see him seated in the regal throne.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE IV.  London. The palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH and RIVERS</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>Madam, what makes you in this sudden change?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Why brother Rivers, are you yet to learn</li>
  <li>What late misfortune is befall'n King Edward?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>What! loss of some pitch'd battle against Warwick?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">No, but the loss of his own royal person.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>Then is my sovereign slain?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner,</li>
  <li>Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard</li>
  <li>Or by his foe surprised at unawares:</li>
  <li class="number">And, as I further have to understand,</li>
  <li>Is new committed to the Bishop of York,</li>
  <li>Fell Warwick's brother and by that our foe.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>These news I must confess are full of grief;</li>
  <li>Yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may:</li>
  <li class="number">Warwick may lose, that now hath won the day.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Till then fair hope must hinder life's decay.</li>
  <li>And I the rather wean me from despair</li>
  <li>For love of Edward's offspring in my womb:</li>
  <li>This is it that makes me bridle passion</li>
  <li class="number">And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross;</li>
  <li>Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear</li>
  <li>And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs,</li>
  <li>Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown</li>
  <li>King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English crown.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li class="number">But, madam, where is Warwick then become?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>I am inform'd that he comes towards London,</li>
  <li>To set the crown once more on Henry's head:</li>
  <li>Guess thou the rest; King Edward's friends must down,</li>
  <li>But, to prevent the tyrant's violence —  </li>
  <li class="number">For trust not him that hath once broken faith —  </li>
  <li>I'll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary,</li>
  <li>To save at least the heir of Edward's right:</li>
  <li>There shall I rest secure from force and fraud.</li>
  <li>Come, therefore, let us fly while we may fly:</li>
  <li class="number">If Warwick take us we are sure to die.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE V.  A park near Middleham Castle In Yorkshire.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, and STANLEY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Now, my Lord Hastings and Sir William Stanley,</li>
  <li>Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither,</li>
  <li>Into this chiefest thicket of the park.</li>
  <li>Thus stands the case: you know our king, my brother,</li>
  <li class="number">Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands</li>
  <li>He hath good usage and great liberty,</li>
  <li>And, often but attended with weak guard,</li>
  <li>Comes hunting this way to disport himself.</li>
  <li>I have advertised him by secret means</li>
  <li class="number">That if about this hour he make his way</li>
  <li>Under the colour of his usual game,</li>
  <li>He shall here find his friends with horse and men</li>
  <li>To set him free from his captivity.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter KING EDWARD IV and a Huntsman with him</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Huntsman</li>
  <li>This way, my lord; for this way lies the game.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">Nay, this way, man: see where the huntsmen stand.</li>
  <li>Now, brother of Gloucester, Lord Hastings, and the rest,</li>
  <li>Stand you thus close, to steal the bishop's deer?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Brother, the time and case requireth haste:</li>
  <li>Your horse stands ready at the park-corner.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">But whither shall we then?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>To Lynn, my lord,</li>
  <li>And ship from thence to Flanders.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Well guess'd, believe me; for that was my meaning.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">But wherefore stay we? 'tis no time to talk.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Huntsman, what say'st thou? wilt thou go along?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Huntsman</li>
  <li>Better do so than tarry and be hang'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Come then, away; let's ha' no more ado.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Bishop, farewell: shield thee from Warwick's frown;</li>
  <li class="number">And pray that I may repossess the crown.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE VI.  London. The Tower.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Flourish. Enter KING HENRY VI, CLARENCE, WARWICK,
SOMERSET, HENRY OF RICHMOND, OXFORD, MONTAGUE, and
Lieutenant of the Tower</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Master lieutenant, now that God and friends</li>
  <li>Have shaken Edward from the regal seat,</li>
  <li>And turn'd my captive state to liberty,</li>
  <li>My fear to hope, my sorrows unto joys,</li>
  <li class="number">At our enlargement what are thy due fees?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Lieutenant</li>
  <li>Subjects may challenge nothing of their sovereigns;</li>
  <li>But if an humble prayer may prevail,</li>
  <li>I then crave pardon of your majesty.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>For what, lieutenant? for well using me?</li>
  <li class="number">Nay, be thou sure I'll well requite thy kindness,</li>
  <li>For that it made my imprisonment a pleasure;</li>
  <li>Ay, such a pleasure as incaged birds</li>
  <li>Conceive when after many moody thoughts</li>
  <li>At last by notes of household harmony</li>
  <li class="number">They quite forget their loss of liberty.</li>
  <li>But, Warwick, after God, thou set'st me free,</li>
  <li>And chiefly therefore I thank God and thee;</li>
  <li>He was the author, thou the instrument.</li>
  <li>Therefore, that I may conquer fortune's spite</li>
  <li class="number">By living low, where fortune cannot hurt me,</li>
  <li>And that the people of this blessed land</li>
  <li>May not be punish'd with my thwarting stars,</li>
  <li>Warwick, although my head still wear the crown,</li>
  <li>I here resign my government to thee,</li>
  <li class="number">For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Your grace hath still been famed for virtuous;</li>
  <li>And now may seem as wise as virtuous,</li>
  <li>By spying and avoiding fortune's malice,</li>
  <li>For few men rightly temper with the stars:</li>
  <li class="number">Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace,</li>
  <li>For choosing me when Clarence is in place.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway,</li>
  <li>To whom the heavens in thy nativity</li>
  <li>Adjudged an olive branch and laurel crown,</li>
  <li class="number">As likely to be blest in peace and war;</li>
  <li>And therefore I yield thee my free consent.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>And I choose Clarence only for protector.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Warwick and Clarence give me both your hands:</li>
  <li>Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts,</li>
  <li class="number">That no dissension hinder government:</li>
  <li>I make you both protectors of this land,</li>
  <li>While I myself will lead a private life</li>
  <li>And in devotion spend my latter days,</li>
  <li>To sin's rebuke and my Creator's praise.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">What answers Clarence to his sovereign's will?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>That he consents, if Warwick yield consent;</li>
  <li>For on thy fortune I repose myself.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Why, then, though loath, yet must I be content:</li>
  <li>We'll yoke together, like a double shadow</li>
  <li class="number">To Henry's body, and supply his place;</li>
  <li>I mean, in bearing weight of government,</li>
  <li>While he enjoys the honour and his ease.</li>
  <li>And, Clarence, now then it is more than needful</li>
  <li>Forthwith that Edward be pronounced a traitor,</li>
  <li class="number">And all his lands and goods be confiscate.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>What else? and that succession be determined.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Ay, therein Clarence shall not want his part.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>But, with the first of all your chief affairs,</li>
  <li>Let me entreat, for I command no more,</li>
  <li class="number">That Margaret your queen and my son Edward</li>
  <li>Be sent for, to return from France with speed;</li>
  <li>For, till I see them here, by doubtful fear</li>
  <li>My joy of liberty is half eclipsed.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>It shall be done, my sovereign, with all speed.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">My Lord of Somerset, what youth is that,</li>
  <li>Of whom you seem to have so tender care?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SOMERSET</li>
  <li>My liege, it is young Henry, earl of Richmond.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Come hither, England's hope.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Lays his hand on his head</li>
  <li>If secret powers</li>
  <li class="number">Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts,</li>
  <li>This pretty lad will prove our country's bliss.</li>
  <li>His looks are full of peaceful majesty,</li>
  <li>His head by nature framed to wear a crown,</li>
  <li>His hand to wield a sceptre, and himself</li>
  <li class="number">Likely in time to bless a regal throne.</li>
  <li>Make much of him, my lords, for this is he</li>
  <li>Must help you more than you are hurt by me.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter a Post</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>What news, my friend?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Post</li>
  <li>That Edward is escaped from your brother,</li>
  <li class="number">And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Unsavoury news! but how made he escape?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Post</li>
  <li>He was convey'd by Richard Duke of Gloucester</li>
  <li>And the Lord Hastings, who attended him</li>
  <li>In secret ambush on the forest side</li>
  <li class="number">And from the bishop's huntsmen rescued him;</li>
  <li>For hunting was his daily exercise.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>My brother was too careless of his charge.</li>
  <li>But let us hence, my sovereign, to provide</li>
  <li>A salve for any sore that may betide.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt all but SOMERSET, HENRY OF RICHMOND, and OXFORD</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SOMERSET</li>
  <li class="number">My lord, I like not of this flight of Edward's;</li>
  <li>For doubtless Burgundy will yield him help,</li>
  <li>And we shall have more wars before 't be long.</li>
  <li>As Henry's late presaging prophecy</li>
  <li>Did glad my heart with hope of this young Richmond,</li>
  <li class="number">So doth my heart misgive me, in these conflicts</li>
  <li>What may befall him, to his harm and ours:</li>
  <li>Therefore, Lord Oxford, to prevent the worst,</li>
  <li>Forthwith we'll send him hence to Brittany,</li>
  <li>Till storms be past of civil enmity.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">OXFORD</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, for if Edward repossess the crown,</li>
  <li>'Tis like that Richmond with the rest shall down.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SOMERSET</li>
  <li>It shall be so; he shall to Brittany.</li>
  <li>Come, therefore, let's about it speedily.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE VII.  Before York.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD IV, GLOUCESTER,
HASTINGS, and Soldiers</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings, and the rest,</li>
  <li>Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,</li>
  <li>And says that once more I shall interchange</li>
  <li>My waned state for Henry's regal crown.</li>
  <li class="number">Well have we pass'd and now repass'd the seas</li>
  <li>And brought desired help from Burgundy:</li>
  <li>What then remains, we being thus arrived</li>
  <li>From Ravenspurgh haven before the gates of York,</li>
  <li>But that we enter, as into our dukedom?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">The gates made fast! Brother, I like not this;</li>
  <li>For many men that stumble at the threshold</li>
  <li>Are well foretold that danger lurks within.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Tush, man, abodements must not now affright us:</li>
  <li>By fair or foul means we must enter in,</li>
  <li class="number">For hither will our friends repair to us.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>My liege, I'll knock once more to summon them.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter, on the walls, the Mayor of York, and his Brethren</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Mayor</li>
  <li>My lords, we were forewarned of your coming,</li>
  <li>And shut the gates for safety of ourselves;</li>
  <li>For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">But, master mayor, if Henry be your king,</li>
  <li>Yet Edward at the least is Duke of York.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Mayor</li>
  <li>True, my good lord; I know you for no less.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom,</li>
  <li>As being well content with that alone.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Aside  But when the fox hath once got in his nose,</li>
  <li>He'll soon find means to make the body follow.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt?</li>
  <li>Open the gates; we are King Henry's friends.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Mayor</li>
  <li>Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open'd.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">They descend</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">A wise stout captain, and soon persuaded!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>The good old man would fain that all were well,</li>
  <li>So 'twere not 'long of him; but being enter'd,</li>
  <li>I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade</li>
  <li>Both him and all his brothers unto reason.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the Mayor and two Aldermen, below</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">So, master mayor: these gates must not be shut</li>
  <li>But in the night or in the time of war.</li>
  <li>What! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys;</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Takes his keys</li>
  <li>For Edward will defend the town and thee,</li>
  <li>And all those friends that deign to follow me.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">March. Enter MONTGOMERY, with drum and soldiers</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,</li>
  <li>Our trusty friend, unless I be deceived.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Welcome, Sir John! But why come you in arms?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">MONTAGUE</li>
  <li>To help King Edward in his time of storm,</li>
  <li>As every loyal subject ought to do.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">Thanks, good Montgomery; but we now forget</li>
  <li>Our title to the crown and only claim</li>
  <li>Our dukedom till God please to send the rest.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">MONTAGUE</li>
  <li>Then fare you well, for I will hence again:</li>
  <li>I came to serve a king and not a duke.</li>
  <li class="number">Drummer, strike up, and let us march away.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">The drum begins to march</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Nay, stay, Sir John, awhile, and we'll debate</li>
  <li>By what safe means the crown may be recover'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">MONTAGUE</li>
  <li>What talk you of debating? in few words,</li>
  <li>If you'll not here proclaim yourself our king,</li>
  <li class="number">I'll leave you to your fortune and be gone</li>
  <li>To keep them back that come to succor you:</li>
  <li>Why shall we fight, if you pretend no title?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>When we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim:</li>
  <li class="number">Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.</li>
  <li>Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand:</li>
  <li>The bruit thereof will bring you many friends.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">Then be it as you will; for 'tis my right,</li>
  <li>And Henry but usurps the diadem.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">MONTAGUE</li>
  <li>Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself;</li>
  <li>And now will I be Edward's champion.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Sound trumpet; Edward shall be here proclaim'd:</li>
  <li class="number">Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Flourish</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Soldier</li>
  <li>Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, king of</li>
  <li>England and France, and lord of Ireland, etc..</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">MONTAGUE</li>
  <li>And whosoe'er gainsays King Edward's right,</li>
  <li>By this I challenge him to single fight.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Throws down his gauntlet</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">All</li>
  <li class="number">Long live Edward the Fourth!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Thanks, brave Montgomery; and thanks unto you all:</li>
  <li>If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness.</li>
  <li>Now, for this night, let's harbour here in York;</li>
  <li>And when the morning sun shall raise his car</li>
  <li class="number">Above the border of this horizon,</li>
  <li>We'll forward towards Warwick and his mates;</li>
  <li>For well I wot that Henry is no soldier.</li>
  <li>Ah, froward Clarence! how evil it beseems thee</li>
  <li>To flatter Henry and forsake thy brother!</li>
  <li class="number">Yet, as we may, we'll meet both thee and Warwick.</li>
  <li>Come on, brave soldiers: doubt not of the day,</li>
  <li>And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE VIII.  London. The palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Flourish. Enter KING HENRY VI, WARWICK, MONTAGUE,
CLARENCE, EXETER, and OXFORD</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia,</li>
  <li>With hasty Germans and blunt Hollanders,</li>
  <li>Hath pass'd in safety through the narrow seas,</li>
  <li>And with his troops doth march amain to London;</li>
  <li class="number">And many giddy people flock to him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Let's levy men, and beat him back again.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>A little fire is quickly trodden out;</li>
  <li>Which, being suffer'd, rivers cannot quench.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>In Warwickshire I have true-hearted friends,</li>
  <li class="number">Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war;</li>
  <li>Those will I muster up: and thou, son Clarence,</li>
  <li>Shalt stir up in Suffolk, Norfolk, and in Kent,</li>
  <li>The knights and gentlemen to come with thee:</li>
  <li>Thou, brother Montague, in Buckingham,</li>
  <li class="number">Northampton and in Leicestershire, shalt find</li>
  <li>Men well inclined to hear what thou command'st:</li>
  <li>And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well beloved,</li>
  <li>In Oxfordshire shalt muster up thy friends.</li>
  <li>My sovereign, with the loving citizens,</li>
  <li class="number">Like to his island girt in with the ocean,</li>
  <li>Or modest Dian circled with her nymphs,</li>
  <li>Shall rest in London till we come to him.</li>
  <li>Fair lords, take leave and stand not to reply.</li>
  <li>Farewell, my sovereign.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy's true hope.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>In sign of truth, I kiss your highness' hand.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">MONTAGUE</li>
  <li>Comfort, my lord; and so I take my leave.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">OXFORD</li>
  <li>And thus I seal my truth, and bid adieu.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague,</li>
  <li>And all at once, once more a happy farewell.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Farewell, sweet lords: let's meet at Coventry.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt all but KING HENRY VI and EXETER</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Here at the palace I will rest awhile.</li>
  <li>Cousin of Exeter, what thinks your lordship?</li>
  <li class="number">Methinks the power that Edward hath in field</li>
  <li>Should not be able to encounter mine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EXETER</li>
  <li>The doubt is that he will seduce the rest.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>That's not my fear; my meed hath got me fame:</li>
  <li>I have not stopp'd mine ears to their demands,</li>
  <li class="number">Nor posted off their suits with slow delays;</li>
  <li>My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds,</li>
  <li>My mildness hath allay'd their swelling griefs,</li>
  <li>My mercy dried their water-flowing tears;</li>
  <li>I have not been desirous of their wealth,</li>
  <li class="number">Nor much oppress'd them with great subsidies.</li>
  <li>Nor forward of revenge, though they much err'd:</li>
  <li>Then why should they love Edward more than me?</li>
  <li>No, Exeter, these graces challenge grace:</li>
  <li>And when the lion fawns upon the lamb,</li>
  <li class="number">The lamb will never cease to follow him.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Shout within. 'A Lancaster! A Lancaster!'</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EXETER</li>
  <li>Hark, hark, my lord! what shouts are these?</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter KING EDWARD IV, GLOUCESTER, and soldiers</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Seize on the shame-faced Henry, bear him hence;</li>
  <li>And once again proclaim us King of England.</li>
  <li>You are the fount that makes small brooks to flow:</li>
  <li class="number">Now stops thy spring; my sea sha$l suck them dry,</li>
  <li>And swell so much the higher by their ebb.</li>
  <li>Hence with him to the Tower; let him not speak.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt some with KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>And, lords, towards Coventry bend we our course</li>
  <li>Where peremptory Warwick now remains:</li>
  <li class="number">The sun shines hot; and, if we use delay,</li>
  <li>Cold biting winter mars our hoped-for hay.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Away betimes, before his forces join,</li>
  <li>And take the great-grown traitor unawares:</li>
  <li>Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li class="number">3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

</section>

<section class="act">

<h2>ACT V</h2>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE I.  Coventry.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter WARWICK, the Mayor of Coventry, two Messengers,
and others upon the walls</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Where is the post that came from valiant Oxford?</li>
  <li>How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Messenger</li>
  <li>By this at Dunsmore, marching hitherward.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>How far off is our brother Montague?</li>
  <li class="number">Where is the post that came from Montague?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Messenger</li>
  <li>By this at Daintry, with a puissant troop.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter SIR JOHN SOMERVILLE</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Say, Somerville, what says my loving son?</li>
  <li>And, by thy guess, how nigh is Clarence now?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SOMERSET</li>
  <li>At Southam I did leave him with his forces,</li>
  <li class="number">And do expect him here some two hours hence.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Drum heard</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Then Clarence is at hand, I hear his drum.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SOMERSET</li>
  <li>It is not his, my lord; here Southam lies:</li>
  <li>The drum your honour hears marcheth from Warwick.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Who should that be? belike, unlook'd-for friends.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SOMERSET</li>
  <li class="number">They are at hand, and you shall quickly know.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">March: flourish. Enter KING EDWARD IV, GLOUCESTER,
and soldiers</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Go, trumpet, to the walls, and sound a parle.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>See how the surly Warwick mans the wall!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>O unbid spite! is sportful Edward come?</li>
  <li>Where slept our scouts, or how are they seduced,</li>
  <li class="number">That we could hear no news of his repair?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Now, Warwick, wilt thou ope the city gates,</li>
  <li>Speak gentle words and humbly bend thy knee,</li>
  <li>Call Edward king and at his hands beg mercy?</li>
  <li>And he shall pardon thee these outrages.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">Nay, rather, wilt thou draw thy forces hence,</li>
  <li>Confess who set thee up and pluck'd thee own,</li>
  <li>Call Warwick patron and be penitent?</li>
  <li>And thou shalt still remain the Duke of York.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>I thought, at least, he would have said the king;</li>
  <li class="number">Or did he make the jest against his will?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Is not a dukedom, sir, a goodly gift?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Ay, by my faith, for a poor earl to give:</li>
  <li>I'll do thee service for so good a gift.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>'Twas I that gave the kingdom to thy brother.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">Why then 'tis mine, if but by Warwick's gift.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Thou art no Atlas for so great a weight:</li>
  <li>And weakling, Warwick takes his gift again;</li>
  <li>And Henry is my king, Warwick his subject.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>But Warwick's king is Edward's prisoner:</li>
  <li class="number">And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this:</li>
  <li>What is the body when the head is off?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Alas, that Warwick had no more forecast,</li>
  <li>But, whiles he thought to steal the single ten,</li>
  <li>The king was slily finger'd from the deck!</li>
  <li class="number">You left poor Henry at the Bishop's palace,</li>
  <li>And, ten to one, you'll meet him in the Tower.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EDWARD</li>
  <li>'Tis even so; yet you are Warwick still.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Come, Warwick, take the time; kneel down, kneel down:</li>
  <li>Nay, when? strike now, or else the iron cools.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">I had rather chop this hand off at a blow,</li>
  <li>And with the other fling it at thy face,</li>
  <li>Than bear so low a sail, to strike to thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Sail how thou canst, have wind and tide thy friend,</li>
  <li>This hand, fast wound about thy coal-black hair</li>
  <li class="number">Shall, whiles thy head is warm and new cut off,</li>
  <li>Write in the dust this sentence with thy blood,</li>
  <li>'Wind-changing Warwick now can change no more.'</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter OXFORD, with drum and colours</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>O cheerful colours! see where Oxford comes!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">OXFORD</li>
  <li>Oxford, Oxford, for Lancaster!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">He and his forces enter the city</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">The gates are open, let us enter too.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>So other foes may set upon our backs.</li>
  <li>Stand we in good array; for they no doubt</li>
  <li>Will issue out again and bid us battle:</li>
  <li>If not, the city being but of small defence,</li>
  <li class="number">We'll quickly rouse the traitors in the same.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>O, welcome, Oxford! for we want thy help.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter MONTAGUE with drum and colours</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">MONTAGUE</li>
  <li>Montague, Montague, for Lancaster!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">He and his forces enter the city</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Thou and thy brother both shall buy this treason</li>
  <li>Even with the dearest blood your bodies bear.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">The harder match'd, the greater victory:</li>
  <li>My mind presageth happy gain and conquest.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter SOMERSET, with drum and colours</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SOMERSET</li>
  <li>Somerset, Somerset, for Lancaster!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">He and his forces enter the city</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Two of thy name, both Dukes of Somerset,</li>
  <li>Have sold their lives unto the house of York;</li>
  <li class="number">And thou shalt be the third if this sword hold.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter CLARENCE, with drum and colours</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>And lo, where George of Clarence sweeps along,</li>
  <li>Of force enough to bid his brother battle;</li>
  <li>With whom an upright zeal to right prevails</li>
  <li>More than the nature of a brother's love!</li>
  <li class="number">Come, Clarence, come; thou wilt, if Warwick call.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Father of Warwick, know you what this means?</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Taking his red rose out of his hat</li>
  <li>Look here, I throw my infamy at thee</li>
  <li>I will not ruinate my father's house,</li>
  <li>Who gave his blood to lime the stones together,</li>
  <li class="number">And set up Lancaster. Why, trow'st thou, Warwick,</li>
  <li>That Clarence is so harsh, so blunt, unnatural,</li>
  <li>To bend the fatal instruments of war</li>
  <li>Against his brother and his lawful king?</li>
  <li>Perhaps thou wilt object my holy oath:</li>
  <li class="number">To keep that oath were more impiety</li>
  <li>Than Jephthah's, when he sacrificed his daughter.</li>
  <li>I am so sorry for my trespass made</li>
  <li>That, to deserve well at my brother's hands,</li>
  <li>I here proclaim myself thy mortal foe,</li>
  <li class="number">With resolution, wheresoe'er I meet thee — </li>
  <li>As I will meet thee, if thou stir abroad — </li>
  <li>To plague thee for thy foul misleading me.</li>
  <li>And so, proud-hearted Warwick, I defy thee,</li>
  <li>And to my brother turn my blushing cheeks.</li>
  <li class="number">Pardon me, Edward, I will make amends:</li>
  <li>And, Richard, do not frown upon my faults,</li>
  <li>For I will henceforth be no more unconstant.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Now welcome more, and ten times more beloved,</li>
  <li>Than if thou never hadst deserved our hate.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Welcome, good Clarence; this is brotherlike.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>O passing traitor, perjured and unjust!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>What, Warwick, wilt thou leave the town and fight?</li>
  <li>Or shall we beat the stones about thine ears?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Alas, I am not coop'd here for defence!</li>
  <li class="number">I will away towards Barnet presently,</li>
  <li>And bid thee battle, Edward, if thou darest.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Yes, Warwick, Edward dares, and leads the way.</li>
  <li>Lords, to the field; Saint George and victory!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt King Edward and his company. March. Warwick
and his company follow</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE II.  A field of battle near Barnet.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Alarum and excursions. Enter KING EDWARD IV, bringing
forth WARWICK wounded</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>So, lie thou there: die thou, and die our fear;</li>
  <li>For Warwick was a bug that fear'd us all.</li>
  <li>Now, Montague, sit fast; I seek for thee,</li>
  <li>That Warwick's bones may keep thine company.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li class="number">Ah, who is nigh? come to me, friend or foe,</li>
  <li>And tell me who is victor, York or Warwick?</li>
  <li>Why ask I that? my mangled body shows,</li>
  <li>My blood, my want of strength, my sick heart shows.</li>
  <li>That I must yield my body to the earth</li>
  <li class="number">And, by my fall, the conquest to my foe.</li>
  <li>Thus yields the cedar to the axe's edge,</li>
  <li>Whose arms gave shelter to the princely eagle,</li>
  <li>Under whose shade the ramping lion slept,</li>
  <li>Whose top-branch overpeer'd Jove's spreading tree</li>
  <li class="number">And kept low shrubs from winter's powerful wind.</li>
  <li>These eyes, that now are dimm'd with death's black veil,</li>
  <li>Have been as piercing as the mid-day sun,</li>
  <li>To search the secret treasons of the world:</li>
  <li>The wrinkles in my brows, now filled with blood,</li>
  <li class="number">Were liken'd oft to kingly sepulchres;</li>
  <li>For who lived king, but I could dig his grave?</li>
  <li>And who durst mine when Warwick bent his brow?</li>
  <li>Lo, now my glory smear'd in dust and blood!</li>
  <li>My parks, my walks, my manors that I had.</li>
  <li class="number">Even now forsake me, and of all my lands</li>
  <li>Is nothing left me but my body's length.</li>
  <li>Why, what is pomp, rule, reign, but earth and dust?</li>
  <li>And, live we how we can, yet die we must.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter OXFORD and SOMERSET</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SOMERSET</li>
  <li>Ah, Warwick, Warwick! wert thou as we are.</li>
  <li class="number">We might recover all our loss again;</li>
  <li>The queen from France hath brought a puissant power:</li>
  <li>Even now we heard the news: ah, could'st thou fly!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Why, then I would not fly. Ah, Montague,</li>
  <li>If thou be there, sweet brother, take my hand.</li>
  <li class="number">And with thy lips keep in my soul awhile!</li>
  <li>Thou lovest me not; for, brother, if thou didst,</li>
  <li>Thy tears would wash this cold congealed blood</li>
  <li>That glues my lips and will not let me speak.</li>
  <li>Come quickly, Montague, or I am dead.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SOMERSET</li>
  <li class="number">Ah, Warwick! Montague hath breathed his last;</li>
  <li>And to the latest gasp cried out for Warwick,</li>
  <li>And said 'Commend me to my valiant brother.'</li>
  <li>And more he would have said, and more he spoke,</li>
  <li>Which sounded like a clamour in a vault,</li>
  <li class="number">That mought not be distinguished; but at last</li>
  <li>I well might hear, delivered with a groan,</li>
  <li>'O, farewell, Warwick!'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">WARWICK</li>
  <li>Sweet rest his soul! Fly, lords, and save yourselves;</li>
  <li>For Warwick bids you all farewell to meet in heaven.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Dies</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">OXFORD</li>
  <li class="number">Away, away, to meet the queen's great power!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Here they bear away his body. Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE III.  Another part of the field.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD IV in triumph; with
GLOUCESTER, CLARENCE, and the rest</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Thus far our fortune keeps an upward course,</li>
  <li>And we are graced with wreaths of victory.</li>
  <li>But, in the midst of this bright-shining day,</li>
  <li>I spy a black, suspicious, threatening cloud,</li>
  <li class="number">That will encounter with our glorious sun,</li>
  <li>Ere he attain his easeful western bed:</li>
  <li>I mean, my lords, those powers that the queen</li>
  <li>Hath raised in Gallia have arrived our coast</li>
  <li>And, as we hear, march on to fight with us.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li class="number">A little gale will soon disperse that cloud</li>
  <li>And blow it to the source from whence it came:</li>
  <li>The very beams will dry those vapours up,</li>
  <li>For every cloud engenders not a storm.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>The queen is valued thirty thousand strong,</li>
  <li class="number">And Somerset, with Oxford fled to her:</li>
  <li>If she have time to breathe be well assured</li>
  <li>Her faction will be full as strong as ours.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>We are advertised by our loving friends</li>
  <li>That they do hold their course toward Tewksbury:</li>
  <li class="number">We, having now the best at Barnet field,</li>
  <li>Will thither straight, for willingness rids way;</li>
  <li>And, as we march, our strength will be augmented</li>
  <li>In every county as we go along.</li>
  <li>Strike up the drum; cry 'Courage!' and away.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li class="number">3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE IV.  Plains near Tewksbury.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">March. Enter QUEEN MARGARET, PRINCE EDWARD,
SOMERSET, OXFORD, and soldiers</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Great lords, wise men ne'er sit and wail their loss,</li>
  <li>But cheerly seek how to redress their harms.</li>
  <li>What though the mast be now blown overboard,</li>
  <li>The cable broke, the holding-anchor lost,</li>
  <li class="number">And half our sailors swallow'd in the flood?</li>
  <li>Yet lives our pilot still. Is't meet that he</li>
  <li>Should leave the helm and like a fearful lad</li>
  <li>With tearful eyes add water to the sea</li>
  <li>And give more strength to that which hath too much,</li>
  <li class="number">Whiles, in his moan, the ship splits on the rock,</li>
  <li>Which industry and courage might have saved?</li>
  <li>Ah, what a shame! ah, what a fault were this!</li>
  <li>Say Warwick was our anchor; what of that?</li>
  <li>And Montague our topmost; what of him?</li>
  <li class="number">Our slaughter'd friends the tackles; what of these?</li>
  <li>Why, is not Oxford here another anchor?</li>
  <li>And Somerset another goodly mast?</li>
  <li>The friends of France our shrouds and tacklings?</li>
  <li>And, though unskilful, why not Ned and I</li>
  <li class="number">For once allow'd the skilful pilot's charge?</li>
  <li>We will not from the helm to sit and weep,</li>
  <li>But keep our course, though the rough wind say no,</li>
  <li>From shelves and rocks that threaten us with wreck.</li>
  <li>As good to chide the waves as speak them fair.</li>
  <li class="number">And what is Edward but ruthless sea?</li>
  <li>What Clarence but a quicksand of deceit?</li>
  <li>And Richard but a ragged fatal rock?</li>
  <li>All these the enemies to our poor bark.</li>
  <li>Say you can swim; alas, 'tis but a while!</li>
  <li class="number">Tread on the sand; why, there you quickly sink:</li>
  <li>Bestride the rock; the tide will wash you off,</li>
  <li>Or else you famish; that's a threefold death.</li>
  <li>This speak I, lords, to let you understand,</li>
  <li>If case some one of you would fly from us,</li>
  <li class="number">That there's no hoped-for mercy with the brothers</li>
  <li>More than with ruthless waves, with sands and rocks.</li>
  <li>Why, courage then! what cannot be avoided</li>
  <li>'Twere childish weakness to lament or fear.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>Methinks a woman of this valiant spirit</li>
  <li class="number">Should, if a coward heard her speak these words,</li>
  <li>Infuse his breast with magnanimity</li>
  <li>And make him, naked, foil a man at arms.</li>
  <li>I speak not this as doubting any here</li>
  <li>For did I but suspect a fearful man</li>
  <li class="number">He should have leave to go away betimes,</li>
  <li>Lest in our need he might infect another</li>
  <li>And make him of like spirit to himself.</li>
  <li>If any such be here — as God forbid! — </li>
  <li>Let him depart before we need his help.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">OXFORD</li>
  <li class="number">Women and children of so high a courage,</li>
  <li>And warriors faint! why, 'twere perpetual shame.</li>
  <li>O brave young prince! thy famous grandfather</li>
  <li>Doth live again in thee: long mayst thou live</li>
  <li>To bear his image and renew his glories!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SOMERSET</li>
  <li class="number">And he that will not fight for such a hope.</li>
  <li>Go home to bed, and like the owl by day,</li>
  <li>If he arise, be mock'd and wonder'd at.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Thanks, gentle Somerset; sweet Oxford, thanks.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>And take his thanks that yet hath nothing else.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter a Messenger</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li class="number">Prepare you, lords, for Edward is at hand.</li>
  <li>Ready to fight; therefore be resolute.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">OXFORD</li>
  <li>I thought no less: it is his policy</li>
  <li>To haste thus fast, to find us unprovided.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SOMERSET</li>
  <li>But he's deceived; we are in readiness.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">This cheers my heart, to see your forwardness.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">OXFORD</li>
  <li>Here pitch our battle; hence we will not budge.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Flourish and march. Enter KING EDWARD IV, GLOUCESTER,
CLARENCE, and soldiers</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Brave followers, yonder stands the thorny wood,</li>
  <li>Which, by the heavens' assistance and your strength,</li>
  <li>Must by the roots be hewn up yet ere night.</li>
  <li class="number">I need not add more fuel to your fire,</li>
  <li>For well I wot ye blaze to burn them out</li>
  <li>Give signal to the fight, and to it, lords!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Lords, knights, and gentlemen, what I should say</li>
  <li>My tears gainsay; for every word I speak,</li>
  <li class="number">Ye see, I drink the water of mine eyes.</li>
  <li>Therefore, no more but this: Henry, your sovereign,</li>
  <li>Is prisoner to the foe; his state usurp'd,</li>
  <li>His realm a slaughter-house, his subjects slain,</li>
  <li>His statutes cancell'd and his treasure spent;</li>
  <li class="number">And yonder is the wolf that makes this spoil.</li>
  <li>You fight in justice: then, in God's name, lords,</li>
  <li>Be valiant and give signal to the fight.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Alarum. Retreat. Excursions. Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE V.  Another part of the field.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD IV, GLOUCESTER, CLARENCE,
and soldiers; with QUEEN MARGARET, OXFORD, and
SOMERSET, prisoners</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Now here a period of tumultuous broils.</li>
  <li>Away with Oxford to Hames Castle straight:</li>
  <li>For Somerset, off with his guilty head.</li>
  <li>Go, bear them hence; I will not hear them speak.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">OXFORD</li>
  <li class="number">For my part, I'll not trouble thee with words.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SOMERSET</li>
  <li>Nor I, but stoop with patience to my fortune.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt Oxford and Somerset, guarded</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>So part we sadly in this troublous world,</li>
  <li>To meet with joy in sweet Jerusalem.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Is proclamation made, that who finds Edward</li>
  <li class="number">Shall have a high reward, and he his life?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>It is: and lo, where youthful Edward comes!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter soldiers, with PRINCE EDWARD</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Bring forth the gallant, let us hear him speak.</li>
  <li>What! can so young a thorn begin to prick?</li>
  <li>Edward, what satisfaction canst thou make</li>
  <li class="number">For bearing arms, for stirring up my subjects,</li>
  <li>And all the trouble thou hast turn'd me to?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>Speak like a subject, proud ambitious York!</li>
  <li>Suppose that I am now my father's mouth;</li>
  <li>Resign thy chair, and where I stand kneel thou,</li>
  <li class="number">Whilst I propose the selfsame words to thee,</li>
  <li>Which traitor, thou wouldst have me answer to.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Ah, that thy father had been so resolved!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>That you might still have worn the petticoat,</li>
  <li>And ne'er have stol'n the breech from Lancaster.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li class="number">Let AEsop fable in a winter's night;</li>
  <li>His currish riddles sort not with this place.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>By heaven, brat, I'll plague ye for that word.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Ay, thou wast born to be a plague to men.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>For God's sake, take away this captive scold.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li class="number">Nay, take away this scolding crookback rather.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Peace, wilful boy, or I will charm your tongue.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Untutor'd lad, thou art too malapert.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>I know my duty; you are all undutiful:</li>
  <li>Lascivious Edward, and thou perjured George,</li>
  <li class="number">And thou mis-shapen Dick, I tell ye all</li>
  <li>I am your better, traitors as ye are:</li>
  <li>And thou usurp'st my father's right and mine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Take that, thou likeness of this railer here.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Stabs him</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Sprawl'st thou? take that, to end thy agony.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Stabs him</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li class="number">And there's for twitting me with perjury.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Stabs him</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>O, kill me too!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Marry, and shall.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Offers to kill her</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Hold, Richard, hold; for we have done too much.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Why should she live, to fill the world with words?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">What, doth she swoon? use means for her recovery.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Clarence, excuse me to the king my brother;</li>
  <li>I'll hence to London on a serious matter:</li>
  <li>Ere ye come there, be sure to hear some news.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>What? what?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">The Tower, the Tower.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>O Ned, sweet Ned! speak to thy mother, boy!</li>
  <li>Canst thou not speak? O traitors! murderers!</li>
  <li>They that stabb'd Caesar shed no blood at all,</li>
  <li>Did not offend, nor were not worthy blame,</li>
  <li class="number">If this foul deed were by to equal it:</li>
  <li>He was a man; this, in respect, a child:</li>
  <li>And men ne'er spend their fury on a child.</li>
  <li>What's worse than murderer, that I may name it?</li>
  <li>No, no, my heart will burst, and if I speak:</li>
  <li class="number">And I will speak, that so my heart may burst.</li>
  <li>Butchers and villains! bloody cannibals!</li>
  <li>How sweet a plant have you untimely cropp'd!</li>
  <li>You have no children, butchers! if you had,</li>
  <li>The thought of them would have stirr'd up remorse:</li>
  <li class="number">But if you ever chance to have a child,</li>
  <li>Look in his youth to have him so cut off</li>
  <li>As, deathmen, you have rid this sweet young prince!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Away with her; go, bear her hence perforce.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Nay, never bear me hence, dispatch me here,</li>
  <li class="number">Here sheathe thy sword, I'll pardon thee my death:</li>
  <li>What, wilt thou not? then, Clarence, do it thou.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>By heaven, I will not do thee so much ease.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Good Clarence, do; sweet Clarence, do thou do it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Didst thou not hear me swear I would not do it?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, but thou usest to forswear thyself:</li>
  <li>'Twas sin before, but now 'tis charity.</li>
  <li>What, wilt thou not? Where is that devil's butcher,</li>
  <li>Hard-favour'd Richard? Richard, where art thou?</li>
  <li>Thou art not here: murder is thy alms-deed;</li>
  <li class="number">Petitioners for blood thou ne'er put'st back.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Away, I say; I charge ye, bear her hence.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>So come to you and yours, as to this Prince!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit, led out forcibly</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Where's Richard gone?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>To London, all in post; and, as I guess,</li>
  <li class="number">To make a bloody supper in the Tower.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>He's sudden, if a thing comes in his head.</li>
  <li>Now march we hence: discharge the common sort</li>
  <li>With pay and thanks, and let's away to London</li>
  <li>And see our gentle queen how well she fares:</li>
  <li class="number">By this, I hope, she hath a son for me.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE VI.  London. The Tower.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter KING HENRY VI and GLOUCESTER, with the
Lieutenant, on the walls</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Good day, my lord. What, at your book so hard?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Ay, my good lord: — my lord, I should say rather;</li>
  <li>'Tis sin to flatter; 'good' was little better:</li>
  <li>'Good Gloucester' and 'good devil' were alike,</li>
  <li class="number">And both preposterous; therefore, not 'good lord.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Sirrah, leave us to ourselves: we must confer.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit Lieutenant</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>So flies the reckless shepherd from the wolf;</li>
  <li>So first the harmless sheep doth yield his fleece</li>
  <li>And next his throat unto the butcher's knife.</li>
  <li class="number">What scene of death hath Roscius now to act?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind;</li>
  <li>The thief doth fear each bush an officer.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>The bird that hath been limed in a bush,</li>
  <li>With trembling wings misdoubteth every bush;</li>
  <li class="number">And I, the hapless male to one sweet bird,</li>
  <li>Have now the fatal object in my eye</li>
  <li>Where my poor young was limed, was caught and kill'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Why, what a peevish fool was that of Crete,</li>
  <li>That taught his son the office of a fowl!</li>
  <li class="number">An yet, for all his wings, the fool was drown'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>I, Daedalus; my poor boy, Icarus;</li>
  <li>Thy father, Minos, that denied our course;</li>
  <li>The sun that sear'd the wings of my sweet boy</li>
  <li>Thy brother Edward, and thyself the sea</li>
  <li class="number">Whose envious gulf did swallow up his life.</li>
  <li>Ah, kill me with thy weapon, not with words!</li>
  <li>My breast can better brook thy dagger's point</li>
  <li>Than can my ears that tragic history.</li>
  <li>But wherefore dost thou come? is't for my life?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Think'st thou I am an executioner?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>A persecutor, I am sure, thou art:</li>
  <li>If murdering innocents be executing,</li>
  <li>Why, then thou art an executioner.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Thy son I kill'd for his presumption.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li class="number">Hadst thou been kill'd when first thou didst presume,</li>
  <li>Thou hadst not lived to kill a son of mine.</li>
  <li>And thus I prophesy, that many a thousand,</li>
  <li>Which now mistrust no parcel of my fear,</li>
  <li>And many an old man's sigh and many a widow's,</li>
  <li class="number">And many an orphan's water-standing eye — </li>
  <li>Men for their sons, wives for their husbands,</li>
  <li>And orphans for their parents timeless death — </li>
  <li>Shall rue the hour that ever thou wast born.</li>
  <li>The owl shriek'd at thy birth —  an evil sign;</li>
  <li class="number">The night-crow cried, aboding luckless time;</li>
  <li>Dogs howl'd, and hideous tempest shook down trees;</li>
  <li>The raven rook'd her on the chimney's top,</li>
  <li>And chattering pies in dismal discords sung.</li>
  <li>Thy mother felt more than a mother's pain,</li>
  <li class="number">And, yet brought forth less than a mother's hope,</li>
  <li>To wit, an indigested and deformed lump,</li>
  <li>Not like the fruit of such a goodly tree.</li>
  <li>Teeth hadst thou in thy head when thou wast born,</li>
  <li>To signify thou camest to bite the world:</li>
  <li class="number">And, if the rest be true which I have heard,</li>
  <li>Thou camest — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>I'll hear no more: die, prophet in thy speech:</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Stabs him</li>
  <li>For this amongst the rest, was I ordain'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING HENRY VI</li>
  <li>Ay, and for much more slaughter after this.</li>
  <li class="number">God forgive my sins, and pardon thee!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Dies</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>What, will the aspiring blood of Lancaster</li>
  <li>Sink in the ground? I thought it would have mounted.</li>
  <li>See how my sword weeps for the poor king's death!</li>
  <li>O, may such purple tears be alway shed</li>
  <li class="number">From those that wish the downfall of our house!</li>
  <li>If any spark of life be yet remaining,</li>
  <li>Down, down to hell; and say I sent thee thither:</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Stabs him again</li>
  <li>I, that have neither pity, love, nor fear.</li>
  <li>Indeed, 'tis true that Henry told me of;</li>
  <li class="number">For I have often heard my mother say</li>
  <li>I came into the world with my legs forward:</li>
  <li>Had I not reason, think ye, to make haste,</li>
  <li>And seek their ruin that usurp'd our right?</li>
  <li>The midwife wonder'd and the women cried</li>
  <li class="number">'O, Jesus bless us, he is born with teeth!'</li>
  <li>And so I was; which plainly signified</li>
  <li>That I should snarl and bite and play the dog.</li>
  <li>Then, since the heavens have shaped my body so,</li>
  <li>Let hell make crook'd my mind to answer it.</li>
  <li class="number">I have no brother, I am like no brother;</li>
  <li>And this word 'love,' which graybeards call divine,</li>
  <li>Be resident in men like one another</li>
  <li>And not in me: I am myself alone.</li>
  <li>Clarence, beware; thou keep'st me from the light:</li>
  <li class="number">But I will sort a pitchy day for thee;</li>
  <li>For I will buz abroad such prophecies</li>
  <li>That Edward shall be fearful of his life,</li>
  <li>And then, to purge his fear, I'll be thy death.</li>
  <li>King Henry and the prince his son are gone:</li>
  <li class="number">Clarence, thy turn is next, and then the rest,</li>
  <li>Counting myself but bad till I be best.</li>
  <li>I'll throw thy body in another room</li>
  <li>And triumph, Henry, in thy day of doom.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit, with the body</li>
  <li>3 KING HENRY VI</li>
</ol>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE VII.  London. The palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD IV, QUEEN ELIZABETH,
CLARENCE, GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, a Nurse with the
young Prince, and Attendants</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Once more we sit in England's royal throne,</li>
  <li>Re-purchased with the blood of enemies.</li>
  <li>What valiant foemen, like to autumn's corn,</li>
  <li>Have we mow'd down, in tops of all their pride!</li>
  <li class="number">Three Dukes of Somerset, threefold renown'd</li>
  <li>For hardy and undoubted champions;</li>
  <li>Two Cliffords, as the father and the son,</li>
  <li>And two Northumberlands; two braver men</li>
  <li>Ne'er spurr'd their coursers at the trumpet's sound;</li>
  <li class="number">With them, the two brave bears, Warwick and Montague,</li>
  <li>That in their chains fetter'd the kingly lion</li>
  <li>And made the forest tremble when they roar'd.</li>
  <li>Thus have we swept suspicion from our seat</li>
  <li>And made our footstool of security.</li>
  <li class="number">Come hither, Bess, and let me kiss my boy.</li>
  <li>Young Ned, for thee, thine uncles and myself</li>
  <li>Have in our armours watch'd the winter's night,</li>
  <li>Went all afoot in summer's scalding heat,</li>
  <li>That thou mightst repossess the crown in peace;</li>
  <li class="number">And of our labours thou shalt reap the gain.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Aside  I'll blast his harvest, if your head were laid;</li>
  <li>For yet I am not look'd on in the world.</li>
  <li>This shoulder was ordain'd so thick to heave;</li>
  <li>And heave it shall some weight, or break my back:</li>
  <li class="number">Work thou the way —  and thou shalt execute.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Clarence and Gloucester, love my lovely queen;</li>
  <li>And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>The duty that I owe unto your majesty</li>
  <li>I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">Thanks, noble Clarence; worthy brother, thanks.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>And, that I love the tree from whence thou sprang'st,</li>
  <li>Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit.</li>
  <li>Aside  To say the truth, so Judas kiss'd his master,</li>
  <li>And cried 'all hail!' when as he meant all harm.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">Now am I seated as my soul delights,</li>
  <li>Having my country's peace and brothers' loves.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>What will your grace have done with Margaret?</li>
  <li>Reignier, her father, to the king of France</li>
  <li>Hath pawn'd the Sicils and Jerusalem,</li>
  <li class="number">And hither have they sent it for her ransom.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Away with her, and waft her hence to France.</li>
  <li>And now what rests but that we spend the time</li>
  <li>With stately triumphs, mirthful comic shows,</li>
  <li>Such as befits the pleasure of the court?</li>
  <li class="number">Sound drums and trumpets! farewell sour annoy!</li>
  <li>For here, I hope, begins our lasting joy.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

</section>

</div>

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